Article Number

RV0024

Author

Gerry

Toy Line

Transformers: Binaltech

Manufacturer

Takara

Now here's a toy that has recently come to market that I am truly happy with. Takara has pulled out all the stops to put out a product that has the robot connoisseur in mind. A robot that is worthy of the Transformers name.

But this isn't your older brother's Transformer from the 80's; this is the new Transformers: Binal Tech, a new line of 1:24 scale transformers that are marketed towards the serious collector. Similar to what Bandai has done with their Soul of Chogokin line.

With the many advances in technology for toy manufacturing, this line incorporates real authentic detailing along with complex transformation along the line of the old style transformers. Yes in car mode, this Transformer is mostly die cast. But I'm getting way ahead of myself. Let's start from the beginning.

The new Transformers: Binal Tech (as it is referred to in Japan) will be released some time in 2004 in the US by Hasbro and will be known as "Alternators." The first car released so far is the BT-01 Smokescreen, a Subaru Impreza and is modeled and detailed after the World Rally Car of 2003 that is raced by Subaru who has officially licensed this particular model to Takara for reproduction. Not only is this car licensed to Takara but all future productions for the Transformers: Binal Tech Line will be an officially licensed car endorsed by their manufacturers as well. The next car up will be the BT-02 Sideswipe which will be a Dodge Viper also in 1:24 Scale.

There are two versions of the BT-01 Smokescreen available, a number 7 and a number 8. That's because there are two different real-life rally car drivers. Peter Solberg drives number 7 and Tommy Makinen drives Number 8. Of course you know I had to grab both of these babies.

The Packaging

What can I say? The packaging for this item is most impressive and is also re-useable. There are round portal type windows on the side along with the big cellophane window in the front, the coloring is quite exceptional and is impressive with the Subaru Logo on it. This looks more like a true racing collectible than a transformer.

The car comes encased in a plastic bubble and is wire-tied down. But it is only one wire tie and is easily removed. As an extra bonus the card board insert can be taken out of the box and used as a stand to display the car either in car mode (which looks most impressive) or robot mode.

For paperwork, you get a nice picture type catalogue along with transforming instructions. Note the Subaru logo even on the instructions. You also get a rather large gun for robot mode that can also be used as the engine block in car mode. You also get what looks like a fan club or warranty card and an official trading card.

Car Mode

There are no stickers needed for this car. It has real authentic painted details. The detailing on each car is an exact replica of the real World Rally Car race team of Solberg and Makinen. Particularly of the Rallye Monte Carlo Race which just ended in January of 2003. This is why I bought one of each because between the two the paint schemes are subtlety different to reflect each driver's car. The paint detailing is absolutely awesome. At 1:24 scale coupled with the painted details, these cars in car mode really remind me of the NASCAR race cars put out by Racing Champions, it's THAT good.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Click here to see the real Tommy Makinen #8 World Rally Car in action and compare it to the Transformers Binal Tech #8 version car. Other features include real rubber tires, a tilt steering wheel, folding bucket seats, a front hood that opens, doors that open, a trunk that opens.

Another interesting feature is also that the front door panels on both the passenger and driver sides actually slide. The doors later act as wings in robot mode.

In addition, while not connected to the steering wheel, there is even rack and pinion steering which allows you to display while in car mode the front tires to the left or to the right. Just turn the car over and slide the rack to the left or right. The pinions are mounted magnetically to the rack to allow simultaneous turning of the wheels to and fro.

Robot Mode

I've never seen so much articulation in a robot toy in a very long time. The transformation difficulty is quite complex and you have to be very careful because in some spots, if the transformation is not done correctly, you could easily break this and you surely don't want that.

Some nice features for robot mode included articulated finger joints with separated articulated index finger on each hand. There is a little whole in each hand that allows for the seating of the gun that has a little "ball bearing" which seats into this hole. This is a great feature because to be honest, I get quite tired of my robots dropping their guns when moving their arms. There's not risk of this happening once the gun is seated in the hand correctly.

This robot can actually bend and twist at the waste allowing for a myriad of cool action poses as demonstrated in the pictures to the left. The head sculpture is very nice with gold, blue and gray paint is a real significant head as opposed to some heads on some transformers that seem to be too small for their bodies. This one is quite in proportion with the rest of the robot.

The arms move both radially and axially at the shoulders and bend at the elbows and the hands rotate at the wrists. The legs are joined at the hips with ball joints allowing for varying different poses of the legs and the there are joints at the knees and ankles.

When picking the robot up, it definitely has some good "heft" to it giving you that feeling of fine quality workmanship and a satisfying feeling knowing that this toy is substantially die cast though the inner skeleton is mostly plastic.

Unfortunately, because of the mentality of the US consumer no one will be willing to pay the $55.00 to $70.00 price tag which is what these are retailing for in Japan and sometimes more when shipping is involved so Hasbro, for the Alternators line will be offering this toy in the US at a price tag of $19.99. Unfortunately with the cheaper price comes cheaper quality. It will be plastic and will contain no die cast.

If you are collector like me who likes quality robot toys, then you'll have to obtain this item in Japan. These are currently out now in Japan and can be gotten by any reputable online retailer that deals in Japanese toys or you can wait for the cheaper version to hit the states in early 2004.

Conclusions

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate this item a 10. That's right, I'm totally satisfied with this product. It's bigger and better than the original transformers and contains the right combination of die cast and plastic along with that feeling of satisfaction you get in a complex transformation. Everything about this toy just screams pure quality and it is definitely worthy of my robot collection and should be a worthy addition to yours.

Gerry