Brakedown
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Brakedown (Autolander in Japan) is a fictional character in the Transformers: Cybertron series.
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Cybertron
He is a robot native to Velocitron, the Speed Planet. He should not be confused with Breakdown, a Decepticon from the original toy line and fiction, who was a member of the Stunticons.
| Transformers character | |
 Breakdown |
|
| Brakedown | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot  |
| Sub-Group | Scout Class |
| Rank | 5 |
| Function | Speed Measurement Member |
| Motto | "Just speed without being sped!" |
| Alternate Modes | Velocitronian Dragster |
| Series | Transformers: Cybertron |
| Voiced by | Michael Dobson (English) |
An old racer on his last lap, Brakedown was the fastest around in his day. He knows every inch of track on the Speed Planet, and while his systems can't keep up with the supercharged speed of younger robots this old speed demon's still got one or two tricks up his sleeve. With his pipes rusting through and his suspension growing brittle with age, he's got to rely on Clocker, to whom he's passed his knowledge of the Great Race. Brakedown transforms into a Speed Planet-model dragster. By using a Cyber Key, he can deploy a blade from his engine block.
The oldest living resident of Velocitron, Brakedown's days as racing champion are long behind him. Instead, he functions as a mentor to younger robots. His past students include Override, who went on to win the Planet Cup and become the leader of Velocitron. His current protege is Clocker.
Some bonus packs of Galaxy Force Optimus Prime came with the Autobot Brakedown as a bonus item.
[edit] Animated series
When the Decepticon Megatron arrived on Velocitron in search of the world's Cyber Planet Key, Ransack and Crumplezone suggested that Brakedown may have knowledge of it. When the two thugs' subsequent interrogation of Brakedown (who'd never heard the term Cyber Planet Key) and Clocker threatened to turn into an assault, Hot Shot intervened to help them. Brakedown and Clocker allied themselves with the Autobots out of gratitude.
In the episode 14, Hero, Red Alert contacted the Autobots on Earth and asked for Optimus Prime to join them on Velocitron. Ransack and Crumplezone tricked Hot Shot and Dirt Boss into believing that a race between them would determine which of them would be allowed to race Override for the Planet Cup. During the race Ransack and Crumplezone caused a rockslide that buried Hot Shot, but he was saved when Optimus Prime, Vector Prime and Landmine arrived. Optimus was upset that Hot Shot had become involved with the locals. Clocker and Brakedown were eager to help the Autobots. After being unable to obtain the Planet Cup from Override himself, Optimus Prime endorsed Hot Shot's plan to win the cup in a race, with the other Autobots aiding him. Ransack and Crumplezone were contacted by Megatron and were told to keep on eye on things, so they too decided to enter the race, either to win the cup, or at least cause as much damage as they could to the other racers. The qualification round started with Override, Dirt Boss, Ransack, Crumplezone, Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, Red Alert, Landmine, Clocker and Brakedown participating.
As the Grand Black Hole continued to enlarge, Primus attempted to seal it. This was witnessed through giant space bridges on Velocitron by Brakedown, Clocker and Dirt Boss, on the planet Animatros by Backstop, Undermine and Brimstone, and on Earth (episode 42, City).
Brakedown and Clocker were instrumental in discovering the ancient ship Ogygia on Velocitron, which they gave to Override to help the Autobots follow the Atlantis to Gigantia.
Towards the end of the series, Brakedown together with the other inhabitants of Velocitron, assisted the Autobots to deal with the Decepticons and played a role in stopping the galaxy from being utterly consumed by the destabilizing Black Hole.
In the final episode of Transformers: Cybertron the "Speedia 500" race is held to determine the leader of Velocitron, which Hot Shot wins. Dirt Boss comes in second, Ransack third, Dark Crumplezone fourth, Brakedown fifth and Clocker sixth. Override didn't even compete, as she joins the new Space Bridge project lead by Optimus Prime. The name of the race is a reference to the Japanese name of the planet, which is Speedia. Optimus Prime (Galaxy Convoy) proposed a new Space Bridge project using the power of the four Cyber Planet Keys and the four great Cybertronian ships. Many Autobots and former Decepticons joined in the project. Leaving Jetfire (Dreadrock) in charge of Cybertron, Optimus Prime lead the Atlantis with the Earth Cyber Planet Key, joined by Red Alert, Safeguard, Scattorshot, Leobreaker, Menasor and Heavy Load. Override lead the Ogygia (Mu) and Velocitron Cyber Planet Key with Brakedown, Quickmix and Stripmine. Evac lead the Hyperborea (Pangea) and Jungle Planet (Animatros) Cyber Planet Key with Backstop and Lugnutz. Metroplex lead the Lemuria and Gigantia Cyber Planet Key with Drillbit, Undermine and Brimstone.
It is generally believed that the concept for Transtech Cheetor inspired the design of Transformers: Cybertron Brakedown. The concept was to have Cheetor transform into something that resembled a racing car.
[edit] Brakedown GTS
In 2006 Hasbro repeased a repaint of Brakedown called Brakedown GTS. This repaint is a homage to Generation 1 Kup, in a similar color scheme. The irony behind this is that Brakedown's vehicle mode is influenced by Kup's alternate mode in the War Within series, where many Transformers were shown in pre-Earth alternate modes. Contradicting the television series ending where it shows Brakedown joining Override's crew, the bio for Brakedown GTS states he was rebuilt using Earth technology by Coby, and started a career repairing the road repair machines on Velocitron. The Brakedown GTS toy has higher Speed and Endurance on its tech spec than the regular Brakedown toy.
It's long been an accepted piece of wisdom on Velocitron that you can't teach an old racer new tricks, but that was before the Autobots came to the Speed Planet. With the help of Coby and the intelligent application of some Earth technology, including dual superchargers, inter-cooled Energon exhaust ports and a diamond-sharp edge to his racing saber, Brakedown is feeling a thousand years younger. Yes sir, this old speed demon is back on the track!
With his new lease on life, Brakedown has decided to take up some old habits as well. When he was a younger bot on Velocitron, he used to repair the MASSIVE road repair automatons that forever roamed the millions of highways on his home planet. It would be a challenge to race up, keep speed with them and repair them as they moved across the planet - for those repair-bots can never stop! It takes keen mind, nimble fingers and super- charged engines to make Velocitron keep on ticking - and Brakedown is just the bot for the job.
