A former brash youth and, subsequently, a former uncertain leader of the Autobots, Hot Rod still has a youthful demeanor after relinquishing leadership, but it is one tempered by the gravity earned from his days of command. Still hotheaded at times. Far more confident in himself than he was in his younger days due to the faith Optimus Prime places in him. Capable and respected by Autobots, warm and receptive to humans, fearless in battle, Hot Rod has the makings of an excellent Autobot leader, even if he doesn't acknowledge it himself.
Hot Rod was a young, impetuous Autobot whose life was forever changed during the Battle of Autobot City in 2005. The Decepticon leader Megatron had been blitzing Autobot City, and the Autobot leader Optimus Prime engaged him in a final duel to defend his troops from the Decepticons. Optimus Prime seemed to have Megatron beaten, but Megatron prepared to draw a hidden weapon unbeknownst to his foe. Hot Rod saw this and leapt at Megatron to stop him, but the far stronger Megatron instead overpowered Hot Rod and used him as a shield as he fired on Optimus. The latter was mortally wounded and died as a result, passing on the Matrix of Leadership.
Hot Rod was stricken by guilt over the result of this battle. His position was made only more complicated as he found himself to be the "Chosen One," the Autobot who would rise from the ranks, as he unleashed the power of the Matrix to destroy the giant planet-eater Unicron and light the Autobots' darkest hour. Reformed by the Matrix into the new leader Rodimus Prime, the former Hot Rod was plagued by insecurity and self-doubt, constantly comparing himself to his romanticized ideal of Optimus Prime. It was only in 2006, after the Matrix had been stolen by the Decepticon Scourge, that Rodimus came to terms with his role as Autobot commander.
In late 2006, the body of Optimus Prime was discovered by the human scientists Jessica Morgan and Gregory Swafford. Rodimus recovered the body from Morgan's laboratory and commanded Sky Lynx to enlist a Quintesson in the hopes of reviving his mentor. At this time, a hate plague was unleashed by Jessica's father, Dr. Mark Morgan, and swept across the galaxy, and included Rodimus amongst its victims. Desperate to find a cure, a Quintesson revived Optimus Prime, who took the Matrix back from Rodimus and used its power to eradicate the plague. Happy to be relieved of the burdens of leadership, Rodimus returned the Matrix to Optimus Prime and reverted to the old form of Hot Rod.
Hot Rod's lingering sense of guilt over Optimus Prime's death and his feelings of inadequacy in command were greatly abated by the latter's revival. His confidence was further boosted as Optimus expressed great approval of Rodimus' tenure as Autobot leader and placed him in a position of command within the Autobot ranks. Hot Rod's leadership would prove instrumental in repelling the Decepticon's "Final Offensive" of 2007.
Hot Rod transforms into a high-tech race car, capable of speeds of up to 330 mph. In robot mode, Hot Rod carries a photon laser and can also fire photon charges from the built-in cannons attached to his wrists.
