Transformers: Robots in Disguise (TV)

Car Robots was originally intented as a lighthearded parody of the original Generation 1 Transformers. When bought over to the U.S., the script was changed to be more serious.

In the US dub, several characters made references to the previous series "Beast Machines". The original japanese version, however, did not.

After five years of Beast Wars and Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise marked the much-anticipated return of Autobots in the Transformers franchise. Decepticons also made an informal return in the U.S. release of this series with Scourge (Black Convoy in the Japanese version - a repaint of Generation 2 Laser Optimus Prime) and the combiner Ruination (Baldigus in the Japanese version - a repaint of the Generation 1 Combaticons).

Aside from Black Convoy/Scourge and Baldigus/Ruination, many other Transformers appearing in this series were recycled from previous toy lines. Gelshark/Sky-Byte, Gildo/Dark Scream, Gaskunk/Gas Skunk, and Gusher/Slapper were originally from the Beast Wars line. Spychangers Artfire/Hot Shot, Counter Arrow/Mirage, Ox/Ironhide, X-Car/Crosswise, Wars/W.A.R.S. and Eaglekiller/R.E.V. are repaints of Generation 2 GoBots (a name used by Hasbro after acquiring rival company Tonka).

The toy version of Wild Ride was originally a Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV, but prior to its release in the U.S. as X-Brawn, Hasbro and Takara redesigned the front end to avoid a lawsuit from Daimler AG.

Speedbreaker/Side Burn's car mode is a first-generation (1997-2000) Dodge Viper GTS. Unlike Wild Ride/X-Brawn, which had to be redesigned for legal reasons, the toy version of Side Burn was given the Viper emblem with permission from DaimlerChrysler.

Brave Maximus/Fortress Maximus is a repaint of the Headmaster command base Fortress Maximus from the Generation 1 series. He is also the only toy in the series to have not been released in the U.S. market, due to price and toy safety issues. (The original Fortress Maximus was sold in toy stores in 1987 for US$89.99.)

In the original Japanese release, Black Convoy/Scourge and the Combatrons/Ruination used an upside-down version of the Generation 2 Autobot symbol. For the U.S. version, they used the traditional Decepticon symbol.

The September 11 attacks had an adverse effect on the broadcasting of this series in the U.S. in 2001. Many episodes were rescheduled at later dates, while some were never aired at all due to content suspected to be related to terrorist attacks.

"Car Robot" was the original name for the Autobots in the pre-Transformer toyline Diaclone.

In episode 1, Heinlad from Beast Wars Neo makes a cameo appearance as Yuuki's alarm clock.