Quote Originally Posted by Trent View Post
But VW own Lamborghini as well through Audi. And VW allowed the official use of an Audi in ROTF. As a decepticon no less. So I don't see the validity of that arguement.
Quote Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime View Post
Only in the movie, but not for the toyline though. All the ROTF Sideways toys are just approximations of an Audi R8, but not actually modelled on the Audi R8 itself. So it looks similar enough for people to know that it's meant to be an R8, but dissimilar enough so that Audi won't sue Hasbro. Likewise Ferrari allowed Paramount to use the Ferrari 458 Italia for DotM Dino, but not for the toy -- so Speed Star Mirage is only an approximation of the 458 Italia.
Honestly, Goki has probably said it best; bare in mind too that apart from Alternators/Binaltech & Alternity, almost all automotive-based Alt modes are merely approximations of actual vehicles when it comes to mainline toy lines & never direct representations.
  • Note that we've never had a Beetle or 'New' Beetle representation of Bumblebee or a modern Porsche 911 equivalent for Jazz.