If there is a red fire truckTransformers toy, odds are it is one ofInferno.

Toys

The Transformers

Then he'll start the fire again.

• Inferno (Autobot Car,1985)

• Takara ID number:10
• Accessories: "Extinguisher rifle", left & right fists, threemissiles, two hose nozzles
• Known designers:Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy),Shōji Kawamori (Studio Nue)

Released in the second year of theoriginalTransformers toyline (first in European and Japanese markets), Inferno is a slightredeco of the TakaraDiaclone "No.10 Fire Engine Ladder Car for High-Rise Buildings" (whew!) toy, transforming into a Japanese Mitsubishi Fuso F-Series FT fire ladder truck. His extendable ladder has three sections to it, allowing it to extend to areally impressive length. Each of his forearms contains a spring-loaded missile launcher, so he can fire his own fists or silver missiles, though theHasbro versions have these launchers severely weakenedfor safety reasons. He is usually depicted in media as having a missile/laser/nozzle in place of a hand on his right arm.

The main differences from theDiaclone version of the toy are in the secondary deco, with the Japanese text andDiaclone-specific text decals on his cab being removed (or de-texted in the case of the front license plate decal).

This sculpt wasredecoed and partiallyretooled to make the concurrently-releasedGrapple, thee-HOBBYexclusiveCollector's EditionRoadHauler, andThe HeadmastersArtfire.

• Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Inferno at Transformerland.com
• More information on Inferno at TFU.info

Inferno's lack of transformation ability was compensated by a big orange thingamajig.

• Inferno with Hydro-Pack (Action Master,1990)

• Accessories: Hydro-Pack, "Magna-Blast Gun"
• Known designers:Masakatsu Saito (concept artist)

Part of the third assortment of "basic" carded Action Masters released in the seventh and final year of the original US toyline (sixth and not-final in Europe), Inferno is a non-transforming 3¾-inch action figure, based loosely on his cartoonanimation model. His construction is broadly similar to that used by theG.I. Joe figures of the time, having a swivel neck, shoulders and knees, plus ball-jointed hips attached via a steel rod internally secured by a rubber "o-ring". His hands have standard 3 mm holes which allow him to hold any other accessory in the Action Master line, plus his feet have holes in the bottom to secure him to larger vehicles. On top of that, the hole in his back is compatible with5 mm posts.

Inferno came with aHydro-Pack that could be attached to his back (with a "hose" that flipped over his shoulder to attach to his handgun, a feature unique among Action Master "partner" accessories), or transformed via spring-loaded mechanism into a large cannon, with a barrel that could be further extended by attaching his handgun to the very end of it.

• More information on Action Master Inferno at TFU.info

• Inferno (Classic Heroes,1990)

• Accessories: "Extinguisher rifle", left & right fists, three missiles, two hose nozzles

The original Inferno toy was re-released inEuropean markets in 1990, alongside several other early Transformers, as part of the "Classic Heroes" range. Near as can be told, there are no notable differences between this and the original release of the toy.

Generation 2

How's anyone supposed to climb the ladder with this huge thing on my back?

• Inferno (Autobot,1992)

• Accessories: "Extinguisher rifle", left & right fists, water weapon, two hose nozzles

Part of the very first assortment ofGeneration 2 product released just in time for the 1992 holiday season, Inferno's original toy was re-used with virtually no deco changes, adding only the new "AUTOBOT"tampograph, hidden inside his cab/chest on the black driver's compartment. His forearms and removable fists wereretooled to remove their spring-loaded launcher functionality, and the chrome missiles of the original release were dropped altogether. The wing extensions on his shoulders were also slightly retooled.^{[citation needed]}

New to this release is a large redwater-shooting cannon, whose shape and syringe-style mechanism were cribbed from the cannon wielded by the 1991G.I. JoeSludge-Viper andToxo-Viper, though Inferno's weapon is an all-new mold. Said cannon clips to his ladder in either mode, and rains pain.

• More information onGeneration 2 Inferno at TFU.info

Collector's Edition

• Inferno (2001)
  • Accessories: extinguisher rifle, left & right fists, three missiles, two hose nozzles

Inferno received a limited reissue as part ofTakara'sCollector's Edition series. Along with Grapple, he wasexclusively available at WonderFest in August 2001.

The Transformers Collection

• Inferno (2003)
  • ID number:8
  • Accessories: extinguisher rifle, left & right fists, three missiles, two hose nozzles

• Known designers:Hirofumi Ichikawa (packaging artist)

In2003, the original Inferno toy wasreissued as part ofTakara'sThe Transformers Collection series. This time he featured atampographed Autobot symbol and blue instead of yellow eyes. These changes carried over toCommemorative Series Inferno (see below),Commemorative SeriesAutobot Grapple, andCollector's EditionRoadHauler.

Commemorative Series

Be glad there wasn't a 2012 Asian version as well.

• Inferno (Commemorative Series V, 2003/2006)
  • Accessories: extinguisher rifle, left & right fists, three missiles, two hose nozzles

• Known designers:Pat Lee (packaging artist)

The same year as the Takara reissue, Hasbro released their own reissue of Inferno as part of theToys"R"UsexclusiveCommemorative Series line in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Unlike the Takara version, the Hasbro version no longer featured launching fists or missilesfor safety reasons. This reissue comes with an additional Autobotinsignia decal, depicting the more modern long-faced version of the Autobot insignia. According to theinstructions, thissticker is supposed to be placedon top of the Autobot insignia sticker that is already on Inferno's chest!

In 2006, three years after the U.S. release and long after theCommemorative Series had been discontinued by Toys"R"Us in America, Inferno and several other figures were released as Toys"R"Us exclusives in the United Kingdom. Unlike previous UK releases ofCommemorative Series figures, the packaging for this batch was no longermultilingual, but in English only. Despite this, the packaging wasnot identical to the previous U.S. version; it lacked the "Commemorative Series" labels, the "choking hazard" safety warning labels and alltrademark ™ and ® markings, and moved the "Ages 5+" recommendation to a new position.

• More information on Commemorative Series Inferno at TFU.info

Universe (2008)

BURNING SPI— Oh, sorry, wrong fire truck.

• Inferno (Voyager Class,2009)
  • Series: Generation 2 Series
  • Accessories: "Water Blast" projectile

• Known designers:Bill Rawley (Hasbro),Hisashi Yuki (TakaraTomy)

"Generation 2 series"Universe Inferno is the first all-new tooling for the Voyager Classprice point in theUniverse line. Unlike the original toy,Universe Inferno transforms into a fictionalized, six-wheeled variant of the 2002–2007 Pierce Contender series of firetrucks, rather than the Generation 1's Japanese Hino ladder engine. In lieu of a ladder, he packs a water cannon with spring-loaded projectile, a call-back toGeneration 2 Inferno's working water cannon. Said cannon cannot be removed from Inferno's right arm (not without disassembly, anyway).

The number "401"tampographed onto him is the area code for the state of Rhode Island, home ofHasbro's headquarters.

Inferno'spackage artwork andstock photography depict a couple of extra transformation steps not shown in hisinstructions: his shoulderkibble is positioned behind the arms, rather than out to the sides, and the folded panels on his forearms are rotated around.

This sculpt was also used to makeTimelinesAutobot Spark, and was retooled to makeTransformers (2010)Solar Storm Grappel andGenerationsProtectobot Hot Spot, and Grappel himself was later redecoed intoTransformers (2014)Protectobot Hot Spot. It was then redecoed intoUnitedArtfire, using tooling from both the original Inferno version and the newer Grappel version of this sculpt.

• More information onUniverse Inferno at TFU.info

Henkei! Henkei!

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

• Cybertron Inferno (Voyager Class, 2009-02-26)
  • ID number:C-15
  • Accessories: "Water Blast" projectile

• Known designers:Naoto Tsushima (packaging artist)

Henkei! Henkei! Inferno differs fromUniverse Inferno mainly in the red plastic used: whereasUniverse Inferno has a darker shade of red,Henkei Inferno is considerably brighter. The dark brown plastic used for several parts onUniverse Inferno has been changed to gray. The black parts onUniverse Inferno are now dark blue and the colorless clear plastic used for his eyes is actually molded in clear blue plastic (rather than being painted over clear blue). Major paint application changes include chroming Inferno's water cannon, forearm panels, and the backs of his shoulder panels. Aside from the chrome he also has the addition of yellow highlights to his head, clear-red painted sirens, and the removal of the Rhode Island "401" area code.

Speed Stars

Becausereal firetrucks come withreal firepower.

• Autobot Inferno (Stealth Force Deluxe,2010)
  • Accessories: 2 projectiles

Speed Stars Inferno is a roughly Voyager-sized non-transformable traditional fire truck. His packaging also depicts hisUniverse toy's robot head. At the press of a button, he can deploy his weapons located on top, at the side and the front of hisvehicle mode while pulling a tab hides the weapons again. He retains the "401" tampograph that hisUniverse toy had.

Included in the package aretwo water-burst missiles. However, they can only be stored in and fired from his top-mounted cannon one at a time.

Kre-O

• Inferno (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2012)
  • Bag number:***** 41
  • Accessories: Logo brick, wrist-blaster

• Known designers:Ed Masiello (Hasbro)

Part of the first normal wave ofMicro-ChangerKreons, Inferno is ablindpacked-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra bits to turn him into something that might be described as a fire engine.

He usesSentinel Prime's helmet... which was patterned after the original Inferno in the first place.

There have been reports of him coming with Airachnid's helmet instead of his own.

• More information on Inferno at TFU.info

• Kreon Class of 1985 (Kreon figure set, 2015)
  • Set number:B5152
  • Voted: Class Hottie
  • Accessories: Scoped pistol

Kreon Class of '85 Inferno features a deco much more accurate to the original 1985 toy. Like the rest of the set, he uses the updated, almost-totally-retooled 2015 style Kreon body.

This box set of thirty Kreons was aSan Diego Comic-Con 2015exclusive, with leftovers being sold onHasbro Toy Shop online after the show.

• Inferno (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2016)
  • Collection:1
  • Accessories: Logo plate, wrist-blaster

In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for discount and drug stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-releasedKre-O sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Inferno's torso and facetampographs have also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them. The 1x1 top-clip piece is also slightly different from the original, with a much lower-set clip.

Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.

Bot Shots

Some other guy already took the color red.

• Inferno (2013)
  • Series:2
  • Number:B011
    • Fist strength:186
    • Blaster strength:580
    • Sword strength:848

Part of the third wave ofBot Shots Series 2 single-packs, Blitz Shot Inferno is aredeco ofSeries 1 Sentinel Prime, transforming into a firetruck with anautomatic, spring-loaded transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has an "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels.

This mold was alsoretooled to makeGo!: BeCoolGanoh.

Masterpiece

Yeah! Let's make an MP of Inferno! He's real popular these days, right?

• Inferno (2016-11-26)
  • ID number:MP-33
  • Accessories: Four faces, two heads, chromed hand blaster, white hand blaster, chrome-grilled chest, two gray-grilled chests, sticker sheet, water spray, fire hose, extinguisher rifle and two communication radar dishes, die-cast Optimus Prime figure (Asian preorder only)

• Known designers:Yuki Ohshima (concept artist)

Masterpiece Inferno represents his cartoon model very well—right down to his disappearing ladder in robot mode—while still maintaining theMasterpiece level of detail. He comes with two heads, one based on the animation character model and one based on the original toy (both of which featured in theGeneration 1 cartoon–see "Notes" for details) and four swappable faces: default and angry which only fit into the toy head, and default and smiling which fit onto the animation character model head (these can also be fitted into the toy head but leave gaps).

He also comes with three chest pieces: one based on his original toy with a detailed, chromed grill and standard Autobot symbol; one with the simplified, non-chromed grill and symbol designs from the cartoon; and one with clear supports attached to it so that Inferno can recreate the scene from "Auto Berserk" of him carrying Red Alert in his arms. He also comes with the robotic hose LordChumley attacked him with in the episode "Prime Target", as well as two removable, forearm-mounted communicators, which appeared in the same episode. His wrist-barrel/blaster is hidden behind his right hand and comes in both chromed and unchromed form, to match whichever chestpiece you have attached, and he includes a gushing water-spray effect piece that can plug into either barrel, his fire truck mode's ladder, head mounted nozzle or robotic hose. He also includes a selection of optional stickers, including standard and cartoon-accurate Autobot logos, and four "fire department" stickers, bearing a similar appearance to the symbol seen on MP-14Red Alert. In early displays, the sticker sheet which indicates his role as "Cybertron Search & Rescue" had the word "search" misspelled. This error was corrected in the finalized release.

If preordered from retailers supplied by Hasbro Asia, he also comes with a non-transforming die-castOptimus Prime minifigure.

Inferno was retooled intoGrapple, and more subtly retooled intoArtfire.

Power of the Primes

Destined to be retooled intoOptimus "Burning Spirit" Prime anytime now.

• Inferno (Voyager Class, 2018)
  • TakaraTomy ID number:PP-36
  • Accessories: Two rifles, 2 Prime Armor/combiner feet,Autobot Enigma

• Known designers:John Warden (Hasbro)

The only figure in the third wave ofPower of the Primes Voyager Class figures, Inferno is a retool ofCombiner WarsProtectobot Hot Spot, and he transforms from a firetruck resembling a modifiedRosenbauer Panther 8x8 to a robot. Inferno can form the torso ofan unnamed combiner using any selection ofCombiner Wars-style Deluxe Class figures as limbs. He also includes Prime Armor that can hold aPrime Master (and by extension, aTitan Master, Enigma, orMatrix core) and can turn into feet for said unnamed combiner. Samples shown at theAustralian Toy Fair 2018 and stock renders show his Prime Armor is redecoed fromHun-Gurrr's, while boxed samples shown at that same Toy Fair and theHasbroTakaraTomystock photography (shown to the left) has them redecoed fromStarscream's. The final product uses Starscream's, most likely due to his Prime Armor having fold out 5 mm posts, as opposed to Hun-Gurrr's 5 mm holes. Like all the other Voyager Class figures, Inferno includes an Enigma of Combination (dubbed theAutobot Enigma), based on a Prime Master, which can attach to Inferno via the previously mentioned Prime Armor. The Autobot Enigma in this case is not the same as the one Elita-1 carries, but is a redeco of Hun-Gurrr's Terrorcon Enigma. Unlike all otherPower of the Primes Voyager Class figures, his Enigma can't be placed onto the torso in combined mode due to being a minor retool from an older line (though this can be fixed by pegging a prime armor into the chest pegs of the combiner). On the plus side, this also means he is the only voyager class figure in the line to grant a weapon to his combined form, being a giant sniper rifle formed by plugging his twin launchers end-to-end.

Inferno's box and card artwork depicts him with the chest and shoulders of theOnslaught version of the mold (with the chest slightly tweaked to remove the detail that mimicked G1 Onslaught's chest sticker). However, the final toy only uses tooling from Hot Spot, implying a change late in production. Additionally, there is a slight bit of retooling where his legs collapse into torso mode- where all previous versions of the mold have a simple slot for the tab on the robot thigh to slide into, the retooling creates a slot for the tab to peg into, creating a more secure leg for the combined mode.

War for Cybertron: Kingdom

Wait, you're telling me we aren't getting anant?

• Inferno (Voyager Class,2021)
  • Hasbro ID number:WFC-K19
  • TakaraTomy ID number:KD-10
  • TakaraTomy release date:July 31, 2021
  • Accessories: Extinguisher blaster, nozzle, 2 fire hoses

Kingdom Voyager Class Inferno is the inevitable retool ofEarthriseGrapple; with a new head, replacing the entire crane arm with an aerial apparatus and having removeable fire hoses that peg into the sides of his vehicle mode.

Inferno comes with the same hand nozzle and blaster as Grapple. His fire ladder can be ratcheted around to several different angles, with a tab at the base serving as storage for the nozzle. The armature that his head and ladder are mounted on is a newly molded piece, solving Grapple's issue by having shorter and sturdier pegs that connect to his feet in vehicle mode.

Inferno comes with aGolden Disk card that "reveals a possible destiny of a key character", with each character having three possible destiny variants.

This particular tooling of the mold was redecoed intoGenerations SelectsArtfire, with the Grapple version of the mold using this mold's new pegs to makeVelocitron Speedia 500 CollectionRoad Hauler.

Merchandise

Transformers Gum

• Inferno (1985)
  • Accessories: "Extinguisher Rifle", 2 fists (left & right)

Let's see what you can see... This article is in need of images.

Essentially a downsized version of the original Inferno toy, theTransformers Gum kit is sculpted from black, red, and white plastic, features stickers rather than paint applications for details, and came with a stick of gum.

• Inferno (2011)

• Known designers:Naoto Tsushima (packaging artist)

Released in the fourth wave of the revivedTransformers Gum series in 2011, this transforming model kit of Inferno is made from red and black plastic, with stickers for detail. It's based on theHenkei Inferno toy. He comes with the base (and accompanying stickers) of the trailer for Rodimus Prime.

Decoy

• Cybertron Hero Collection 9 (multi-pack, 1986)
• Inferno (1987)
  • Decoy number:14

The figurine was later brought over toHasbro markets as part of theDecoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the cardedThrottlebots,Aerialbots,Protectobots, andTechnobots.

• More information on Decoy Inferno at TFU.info

3D Battle-Card Game

• Inferno (2007)

A 36-point "rare" character in the3D Battle-Card Game's "Energon Wars" expansion, Inferno "transforms" into a red fire truck. He uses the same parts layout asMovieBonecrusher, MovieLongarm, and "Classic Bonecrusher", albeit with some parts moved around to make him more fire truck-like.

Tiny Titans

• Inferno (Tiny Titans, 2015)
  • Series:4
  • Number:1/12

Part of the fourth assortment ofTiny Titansblindpacks, this version of Inferno is a very small, soft-plastic figure of him in robot mode.

He includes a collectible card that renders him in the2015Robots in Disguise styling. The card includes a scan-badge for theRobots in Disguise mobile game, which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.

This wave saw fairly minimal release at "big box" retailers, but unlike other waves, wasnot picked up by drug stores and the like later, making them particularly hard to find.

Transformers Trading Card Game

• Inferno, Fearless Firefighter (2018)
  • Wave 1
  • Rarity:UT
  • Card Number:T22/T40
  • Stars:12

Inferno, Fearless Firefighter is one of forty double-sided character cards available in Wave 1 of theTransformers Trading Card Game.

The artwork on the card is reused from theTransformers Legends mobile card game, and is based on theTransformers: Universe Inferno toy.

Transformers Character Card

• Alert & Inferno Set (October 17,2023)
  • ID number:65 & 66

Released as part of the ninth wave of thee-HOBBY exclusiveTransformers Character Card series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of "Alert" and Inferno along withcharacter profiles andtech specs.

• Translation of Inferno's Transformers Character Card

Blokees

Galaxy Version

• Inferno (2023)

• Series:Galaxy Version 02 - SOS
• Accessories: 2 pairs of hands (fists/accessory-holding, splayed open-palm), nozzle, Spare balljoint piece, figure stand, holdable Autobot and Decepticon insignias

Released in the second wave ofGalaxy Version line of blind boxes,Blokees Inferno is a roughly 4-inch tall, highly-articulated, and non-transforming snap-on model kit of the Autobot fire engine. He is built on a "Standard Body" skeleton shared with other Blokees figures in the line, but with different body pieces to make them distinct. As advertised in the box, Inferno has a pull rate of 1 in every 9 boxes, or three times across four cases.

Inferno comes with a pair of closed and open hands, a nozzle that can attach onto the right wrist by default, and a pair of Autobot/Decepticon insignias that can be plugged onto either of the peg holes. The barrel of the nozzle arm is compatible with the blast effects included with other Galaxy Version kits. Inferno also comes with a stand with four studs on top, which he can plug into and connect to similar stands.

Most of the stock images from the official site's listing erroneously depict Inferno having a red-colored head, though at least one (as pictured on the right) utilizes the correct color.

This mold was also used to make his wavemateGrapple.

Defender

• Inferno (2025)

• Series:Defender Version 02 - The Overthrow
• Accessories: Blaster

Released as part of the second wave of theGalaxy Version Defender line of blind boxes, thisBlokees kit of Inferno is a 2.2-inch (5.5cm) kit, and he's a few inches smaller than theGalaxy Version kits, but still articulated. He comes with a single blaster (representing his Extinguisher rifle) used by other Defender kits from the same line.

• Inferno Vehicle (2025)

• Series:Defender Version 02 - The Overthrow
• Accessories: Nozzle

ThisDefender kit of Inferno is molded in his fire engine mode. He also comes with an extra nozzle, which can be detached from his ladder and replace his robot mode kit's right hand.

Notes

Inferno moonlights for easy cash.

• An earlyvariant of theDiaclone predecessor of the originalTransformers Inferno figure had an actual Mitsubishi company logo and the name "FUSO" sculpted on the front end of his cab section, whereas later versions lacked those details just like the laterTransformers version did.^[1]
• Inferno's original toy, slightly modified, wasknocked off and used as the title giant robot in the Korean animated filmPhoenix King (피닉스킹).Phoenix King was dubbed (horribly) and released in America by Digiview Entertainment asDefenders of Space, generally selling for the bargain price of $1.00. Scenes of "Inferno" from this movie were also incorporated into another bargain film distributed by Digiview Entertainment,Space Thunder Kids.
• Before Inferno receivedhis combining toy (andassociated generic Combiner lineup) inPower of the Primes,Fun Publications hinted at the tooling in the text story "Lively Pursuit", which mentioned other leftoverCombiner Wars elements. In that telling, Inferno was selected alongsideRatchet,Hoist,Sideswipe, andBluestreak forProject Firestormer, but this plan never came to fruition due toThunder Mayhem killing everyone besides Bluestreak.

References