• Vehicle Mode
• Chariot Mode (with pilot)
• Mechatron with Megatron
• Both color schemes in Vehicle Mode
• Both color schemes in Chariot Mode

After their apparent victory in the Beast Wars, the heroic Maximals have returned to Cybertron to find their home planet overrun by hoards of Vehicons controlled by the tyrannical Megatron. Developed from Vehicon technology and inspired by the ancient repulsor-lift chariots used to quell Transformers dissidents during the earliest freedome wars for Cybertron, the diabolical Megatron engineers the Beast Riders -- sophisticated, individualized pursuit vehicles spawned out of the need for rapid transportation throughout Cybertron. Each craft activates only when its primary pilot uses his spark energy for ignition. Over time, the Beast Riders have adapted to their pilots' control and dveloped specialized powers from their masters!

The struggle for the salvation of Cybertron continues...

Name: Mechatron
Function: Assault Chariot

Megatron created the Beast Riders technology to hunt down the remaining inhabitants on Cybertron and capture their sparks. His personalized transport, Mechatron, is unstoppable and fashioned from his sinister recycling projects. Though purely mechanical, Mechatron resembles his master's dragon mode, due to a failed attempt by the despot to erase the organic beast from his very being. This eerie battle chariot is programmed to shred through or bombard anything that gets in its path. Twin "claw" flame-throwers debilitate enemies from large distances, and its central fusion cannon nullifies all resistance. Mechatron is outfitted with an upgraded spark-capture claw that can tear out the entire laser core of any Transformer defender.

Mechatron is one of the Beast Riders, vehicles meant for use as accessories with the Beast Machines Transformers figures. Each vehicle is specialized towards one character. Mechatron is specialized for the dragon Megatron. This is specialization is mainly focused on the appearance of the toy.

Vehicle Mode:
In vehicle mode, Mechatron is a stand alone vehicle designed after Megatron's dragon mode. The center of the vehicle is translucent red with yellow and black eyes. Along with mechanical details such as tubing, there are dragon "teeth" and scale details on the jaws. Inside the mouth is a red missile launcher which holds two black missiles. On each side are sections which contain the wheels underneath. Each side is black fading into blue with dark silver detailing. The ends of these sections look like the horns on Megatron's Transmetal 2 beast mode head.

Attached to these sections are arms with claws at the ends. The arms are primarily blue, with silver "scales" and black claws. There really are not any points of articulation to speak of. To activate Mechatron's action feature, just press the top of the nose down and let go. The vehicle will then roll forward on its wheels on its own.

The vehicle is a cool representation of Megatron. Small details such as the scales and paint details are very well done.

Transformation to Chariot Mode:
Swing both "arms" in the back forward. Lift the panel on the top of the head and flip it around so the dual cannons face forward. The claw should face back. Mechatron is now ready for a passenger.

Chariot Mode:
In chariot mode, much of Mechatron's appearance is the same as his vehicle mode. The rolling action works in this mode as well. However, as Mechatron rolls forward his arms will twist around and around in the front. The claw on the back may be used to hold onto a passenger. Most basic and deluxe Beast Machines toys will work with this vehicle. Because of his smaller size, the Beast Machines Transformers Megatron can stand on the back panel and ride his vehicle.

Mechatron's missiles can be fired by pressing the buttons on either side of the missile holder in its mouth. Megatron and Mechatron looks great together, and I think it would have been fantastic if they were sold as a set, a leader and his chariot.

Added 2/14/01: Mechatron was repainted and re-released to help refresh the Beast Machines line for 2001. The new color scheme is odd because it does not match any version of Megatron even going back to the Beast Wars toys. His primary colors are purple and yellow. The arms of the vehicle are yellow and gold. The middle of the vehicle is translucent purple and the cannon in the mouth is yellow. The nice "lightning pattern" that was light grey on the original is now black on this version. Although the colors work together well, they do not match any version of Megatron and thus makes one odd vehicle.

As an accessory, Mechatron is great. However, as a stand-alone toy, some people may be disappointed. Even the transformation is a bit of a stretch. Recommended as an accessory, not as a stand alone toy. B