Rapido (Transformers)

For other uses, see Rapido.

Rapido
Transformers character
Generation 1 Rapido on card
Created by	Hasbro
Information
Species	Transformer
Abilities	Shapeshifting Superhuman durability Superhuman longevity Superhuman strength
Affiliation	Autobot
Alternate mode	Car
Function	Platoon Commander
Motto	"The deadliest weapon you can have is a sharp mind."
Series	Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Timelines
Sub-group	Axelerators, Botcon exclusives, Deluxe Vehicles
Tech specs	ST09 IN10 SP10 EN08 RN10 CO09 FB09 SK08

Rapido is a fictional character in the Transformers series. His is the commander of the Autobot Axelerators.

Transformers: Generation 1

Rapido (called Sirius in Italy) is one of the most brilliant Autobots who ever lived. Serving as platoon leader, Rapido took command of the Autobot army following the departure of Optimus Prime some four million years ago. He is an unparalleled mastermind when it comes to warfare strategy, executing them with a skilled methodology that few can match. Sophisticated ideas come easily to him; his plans are typically so mind-bogglingly complex that only he fully understands them. He believes in logic and reasoning, refusing to allow the irrational to cloud his thinking. His archive of knowledge and uncanny knack for anticipating every possible detail has won him the reverence of many of his comrades, making him one of the most respected Autobot commanders in history. He directly leads the Autobot Axelerators team, Scram, Turbofire and Windbreaker, on missions.

Rapido has nearly unmatched speed and intelligence. He is nearly fearless, strong and has incredible firepower. He can turn into a Cybertonian race car capable of speeds of over 245 mph. His engine also works as a powerful blaster which can be used in either mode, and offers impressive firepower. Rapido is a powerful fighter, but his real strength lies in his ability to out calculate his opponents.

Rapido's penchant for depending on intellect and logic sometimes prevents him from seeing the side of the equation not governed solely by rhyme or reason.

Comics

Dreamwave Productions

Rapido made a brief cameo appearance in a crowd of Autobots on Cybertron listening to Prowl speak during the third issue of the third volume of the Dreamwave Generation One comic. He did not have any lines.

Fun Publications

Rapido was among the troops under the command of Spark on Earth. During a battle outside of the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, Rapido ordered a fall back after Pyro was captured. Minutes later, when Scorch and Streetwise tried to take over, Rapido balked at being treated like a child, despite only being a minor in Earth years. When Scorch objected to his formulating a rescue plan, Rapido reminded him that he technically outranked all Autobots on Earth in emergency situation, as authorized by Optimus Prime himself. Eventually the Autobots went on the counterattack to stop the Decepticons from seizing the power of the Collider and to save Pyro. While most the Autobots kept the Decepticons busy, Rapido took Meanstreak and Streetwise to the back entrance. While his low-yield photo missiles were unable to crack the door, Streetwise's knock caused it to tumble. Once inside they met with a duo of Sharkticon guards and attempted to use the universal greeting to quell them. When this proved fruitless, Rapido transformed and crashed the guards through the door they were guarding, right into the room where Pyro was being held! The rescue team began getting pummeled by the Forestonite-infused Decepticons. Rapido shot his missiles to free Pyro, evening the odds a little. When Breakdown saw this, he shot the rest of the Forestonite, resulting in its gaseous form filling the building and powering up all the Transformers within. Rapido found he now had the power of super speed, and used it to outrun Sky-Byte's missiles, leading them into the main skirmish and having them hit Cindersaur instead. When the Decepticons retreated, Rapido attended to the humans and later enjoyed a drink of energon.

Rapido appears in "A Flash Forward" by Fun Publications. In this story Ultra Magnus travels to Autobot City an assigns Spark, Rapido and Sizzle to investigate a theft from Quantum Laboratories.

Other media

The Axelerators are among the characters appearing in the unlicensed comic book Transformers Chronicles Book One by Hirofumi Ichikawa. This story has them work with Smokescreen and fight the Skyscorchers.

Toys

• Generation 1 Axelerator Rapido (1993)

The Axelerators were originally released in 1993 as Generation 1 European exclusive toys, then in the U.S. and Europe as part of the Generation 2 line. European versions had pink windows, while U.S. versions had smoke colored windows. Like all Axelerators, his vehicle mode engine became his robot mode gun.

• Timelines Deluxe Rapido (2010)

A BotCon 2010 exclusive red remold of Universe Silverstreak with a new head sculpt and decals inspired by the original Axelerator toy. As a running gag of the figure's name, his tech specs were printed in Spanish; the English tech specs were later on posted on the BotCon homepage. Bundled with Cindersaur.

• United EX Racemaster (2012)