Some early TF4 colour-sheet toy reveals

[Omega Metro]

According to someone on the TFW2005 boards, it's probably something to do with military fashion among the soldiers who use that type of vehicle. Apparently beards like that are popular in that area.

Are beards popular on Cybertron? I don't think so.

[tinyJazz]

Are beards popular on Cybertron? I don't think so.

But isn't Hound one of the Autobot geeks that really likes Earth stuff? Maybe he's just trying to fit in.

[Deonasis]

Will Hound suffer the same no-leader-class fate as Bonecrusher? Stay tuned..

[Sinnertwin]

According to someone on the TFW2005 boards, it's probably something to do with military fashion among the soldiers who use that type of vehicle. Apparently beards like that are popular in that area.

Interesting thought process. I haven't read that particular thread.
I'll have to watch the live action movie again. I dont recall the American soldiers that were stationed at Qatar having beards, which i would assume that being in the Arabian Peninsula would have been more appropriate? Or are they referring to Afghanistan & it's neighbours?

[Deonasis]

Interesting thought process. I haven't read that particular thread.
I'll have to watch the live action movie again. I dont recall the American soldiers that were stationed at Qatar having beards, which i would assume that being in the Arabian Peninsula would have been more appropriate? Or are they referring to Afghanistan & it's neighbours?

It is more to do with remote rarely-seen special op teams than regular overseas military. I don't know how common the full beard rugged look is but in some elite areas the military accepts it as practical.

[UltraMarginal]

many of the original G1 character designs looked to me like they employed hair designs in the helmet/head sculpt.

Look at ironhide and others, Mohawk.
anyone with a mouthplate could be likened to a stylised full beard.
many of the early chin lumps could be considered a chinbeard/goatee.
Helmet sides that come around the side of the cheeks are just robotic sideburns, some of which are whopping lamb chops.

There are obviously many that don't, Prowls and Ratchets head spikes come to mind.
Basing head design on facial hair is not really something new in my eyes, it's just unfortunate that the higher details of the movie asthetic make it look more like a robot with a beard than a robot with a cool faceplate.

[Omega Metro]

Faceplates are cool. Beards are not.

[Bidoofdude]

Faceplates are cool. Beards are not.

Optimus Prime with a beard. Lolz.