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Transformers Series

Takara Binaltech BT-06 Tracks Cybertron Warrior as Chevrolet Corvette Z06  (8/2004)

  

Transformers Binaltech

Transformers Binaltech

 


BT-01 Smokescreen as Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 (8/03)

#7 Solberg / Mills 

#8 Makinen / Lindstorm

 


BT-02 Lambor (Sideswipe) as Dodge Viper SRT-10 (12/03)

 

BT-03 Streak as Subaru Impreza WRX (3/04) 

 

BT-04 Hound as Jeep Wrangler (03/04)

 

BT-05 Dead End as Dodge Viper Competition Coupe (07/04)

 

BT-06 Tracks as 2004 Chevy Corvette Z06 (08/04)

 

BT-06B Tracks as Blue 2004 Chevy Corvette Z06 (11/04)

 

BT-07 Smokescreen GT as Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 (09/04)

#1 Solberg / Mills

#2 Hernoven / Lehtinen

 

BT-08 Meister as Mazda RX8 (9/04)

 

BT08 Meister as VRM Edition Mazda RX8 (9/04)

 

Masterpiece Edition

MP01 Convoy (Optimus Prime) Semi-truck Cab (12/03)

 

 

 

 

Package

Binaltech Tracks came in the same scale die-cast car style packaging as the previous Binaltech releases. The box insert also double as display stand for the car.

 

 

Binaltech Story

In the year 2003, the Autobots are slowly being destroyed by a powerful corrosive rust set upon them by the evil Decepticons. With Megatron and his troops advancing and the humans increasingly in danger, a final, desperate project is put into action - human created Transformers. Thus, the newest Transformers are born via a new technology: Binaltech!

 

Binaltech Instruction Booklet

Binaltech toy came with full color booklet that detailed the features of the toy and instruction on how to transform the vehicle into robot mode. The transformation process can be a bit tricky at first but became very easy after a few attempts (though not recommend for younger children as the toy was obviously aimed at older adult collectors).

 

Alternate Version

Hasbro released a cheaper cost alternative to Takara Binaltech die-cast version as Transformers Alternators.  The Alternators had the die-cast body parts replaced with molded color plastic parts. The toy was identical to the Binaltech version but without the heavy feel of die-cast  and the sheen of painted die-cast body.  In fact the two versions looked identical from a distance, however, the difference became quite appearance when one pick up the two toys.  (Think of Alternators as plastic scale model-kit car version and the Binaltech as scale model die-cast car version). Alternator came in a slightly larger box than the Binaltech packaging but the box was very plain looking without any die-cut windows.  The instruction was also just a plain mono-color sheet like other US Transformers toys, unlike Takara version that came with full color booklet and a bio-card (found in most Takara Transformers toys)  However the toy was perfect for those on tight budget who can not afford the much higher price Binaltech version but want to own these amazing toy engineering pieces.

 

 

Hasbro originally plan to release Alternator Track also in yellow but since they used unpainted plastic parts (I don't understand how much more could it really cost to paint the Alternator it would give the toys the same look as BT version) the black part inside would show through. To some of the fans delight, Hasbro decided to release Alternator Track in blue color. While the blue Track was not painted, Hasbro used metallic flake plastic (like Alternator Hound) and resulted in very nice looking Alternator.

Takara released BT-06 in August of 2004 as the sixth figure in the Binal-Tech series. Unlike BT-05 released a month earlier, BT-06 Tracks was not only a brand new toy but also brand new car mold. Tracks was of course one of original character from G1 Transformers. Like BT-04 Hound, BT-06 Tracks also one of the few BT that actually matched his original car mode - a Chevy Corvette. However this time it was the 2004 model of Corvette and came in the model trademark yellow color. The change in color however seem to have caused a lot of dismay with some of the fans. There is just no way to please some Transformers fans even when this new Binaltech version seem to be the figure with the most elements from G1 version of all the BT toys being done thus far.

In robot mode, the car transformed into Cybertron Warriors Tracks. Tracks retained many of the identifiable features from his G1 version such as the two shoulder rockets and even fake chest part for the robot mode so he would look like his G1 version. While I like the fact that Takara tried to make BT to resemble the old character looks, I find adding parts that doesn't belong there and serve no other purpose beside cosmetic to be very distracting for the Binaltech toys. In robot mode, Tracks overall do not look bad but he just seem to have a lot parts hanging off him. One of the design that Takara had been able to avoid until now was able to keep the hood in one piece and I find Tracks design of splitting the car hood to be the most distracting in both the robot and car mode. I understand the attempt to make the BT version like G1 but I think this was just taking the homage thing a bit too far. To compromise the overall look of the toy, just so the designer can squeeze in another G-1 reference seem like a total waste for Transformers with such nice looking car mode.

Another complain from rabid TF fans, many of whom seem to never be happy about anything these days, was the choice of color. BT Tracks was released in yellow which was standard showcase color for 2004 Chevy Corvette which seem to upset many fans who seem to be stuck in G1 mentality. Of course, Hasbro relented and also due to unintended problem with using unpainted plastic for Alternator version, they decided to release Alternator version of Tracks in blue color. I was glad that Takara at least stuck to the gun and release Tracks in the yellow color as the designer intended to. The yellow was trademark color for 2004 Vette and suited well to this model. It was also nice to have color other than blue or red added to BT line-up. Takara also released "blue" variants of BT-06 in November of 2004. As an added bonus, BT-06B came with flame sticker for the hood to make the toy even more authentic to the G1 counterpart.  While BT-06 overall was not a bad looking BT Transformers and with excellent articulations, the overall appearance was a bit too clutter with many parts hanging off his back especially the leg area which had the entire car hood split in half dragging behind the robot.