Drift (AOE)

The name or term "Drift" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Drift (disambiguation).

Drift is an Autobot and former Decepticon from the live-action film continuity family.

Drift is a commando of few words and many ancient blades. While he is not trying to hide his past as a Decepticon, he would much rather just let his swords do the talking. His strength lies in both his mastery over his collection of swords and his composure in battle. Despite the dark times upon the Autobots, Drift remains calm, dignified, and thoughtful,^[1] often taking time to practice his swordsmanship and spout haikus about whatever's going on.

Leaving the Decepticons didn't automatically fix everything for Drift, as he is still prone to manic bouts of aggression if he's startled or otherwise spooked. This makes him quick to try to stab whatever's the problem to death. Luckily, he’s taken up meditation to complement his swordsmanship and hopefully curb this lingering rage. After all, he considers his Decepticon self to be as dead as Megatron.

Teaming up with the rowdiest Autobots around may not be the best start, but luckily Drift gets to serve directly under Optimus Prime, who he refers to as his sensei. Knowing there is hope whenever the Autobot leader is around, Drift will follow Optimus to the bitter end. He doesn't think much of Bumblebee's attempts to be Autobot leader, though, due to his youth and lack of warrior discipline. He is sometimes partnered with the Dinobot Slug.

Contents 1 Fiction 1.1 Movies 1.1.1 Age of Extinction film 1.1.2 The Last Knight film 1.2 How to Ride your Dinobot cartoon 1.3 Titan movie comics 1.4 How to Ride a Dinobot! comic 1.5 Toy bios 1.6 Kre-O cartoon 1.7 Ask Vector Prime 2 Games 2.1 Transformers: Age of Extinction mobile game 2.2 Energon Rally 2.3 Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark 2.3.1 Console 2.3.2 3DS 2.4 Transformers Ultimate Allstars 2.5 Transformers (Hasbro Arcade) 2.6 Transformers: Forged to Fight 3 Toys 3.1 Age of Extinction 3.1.1 Robots in Disguise 3.1.2 Generations 3.2 Kre-O 3.3 Construct-Bots 3.4 Hero Mashers 3.5 The Last Knight 3.5.1 Tiny Turbo Changers 3.5.2 Turbo Changers 3.5.3 Allspark Tech 3.5.4 Legion Class 3.5.5 Premier Edition 3.5.6 Turbo Change Series 3.6 Movie Edition 3.7 Studio Series 4 Merchandise 4.1 Revenge of the Fallen 4.1.1 RPMs - Robot Powered Machines 4.2 Speed Stars 4.3 Age of Extinction 4.3.1 Funrise Toys 4.3.2 Titan Heroes 4.4 Pop! 4.5 Prime 1 Studio 4.6 The Last Knight 4.6.1 Simba Smoby 4.7 Hot Wheels 5 Notes 5.1 Foreign names 6 References

Fiction

Movies

Age of Extinction film

Voice actor: Ken Watanabe (English), Kiyomitsu Mizūchi (Japanese), Zhang Yaohan (Chinese), Jorge Badillo (Latin American Spanish), Luis Grau (Castilian Spanish), Andrea Lavagnino (Italian), Hercules Fernando (Portuguese), Guillaume Orsat (European French), Éric Gaudry (Canadian French), Yu Fang (German), Sefa Zengin (Turkish)

Drift was among the Autobots who had gone into hiding on Earth after humanity turned against the Autobots. To his disgruntlement, Bumblebee took de facto command of the Autobots in the absence of Optimus Prime. Drift was overjoyed at the return of his sensei, declaring there was hope after all. Though Hound cursed the humans as a "bunch of backstabbing weasels", Drift took pity on the humans, sadly reciting a haiku regarding the humans' betrayal. The haiku didn't sit right with Hound, and the two nearly came to blows before their attention was turned to the arrival of Cade Yeager and his family. Later that night, Drift sadly reported that they were the last five Autobots, and informed Optimus of Bumblebee's stint as leader during his absence. He couldn't resist expressing his distaste of Bumblebee's leadership and immaturity aloud, claiming that the younger Autobot brought shame upon the group. The two bots quickly came to blows with Drift gaining the upper hand over the "smartass". Holding Bumblebee at sword-point, Drift claimed to see right through Bumblebee's "puppy dog eyes" act, mocking him when such an act was beneath him. The mood soon was dampened further when Cade had Drift (in his Bugatti vehicle mode) project footage of Ratchet and Leadfoot's demises.

Drift took part in Cade's mission to infiltrate KSI, providing some valuable intel to the human prior to the operation. Drift joined in the subsequent assault on the facility when the news came of Ratchet's brutal demise and dismemberment. Drift used his helicopter mode to lift Bumblebee through the upper levels of the building to rescue Cade from Harold Attinger. The Autobots soon fled once again, and Drift was unable to intervene in the battle between Optimus and Galvatron when the drone's missile fire separated the Autobots from their leader. When Lockdown captured Optimus and Tessa Yeager, Drift infiltrated the bounty hunter's ship in Chicago with the rest of the group. Now behind enemy lines, Drift advocated stealth and a lack of violence, but immediately hacked an alien captive of Lockdown's to death when it startled him. Drift reported that Lockdown's dark matter drives were firing up, signaling they had about ten minutes before the ship departed Earth (nine minutes, worse case scenario). Drift went to free his sensei with Hound and Crosshairs, and remained aboard the commandeered ship of Lockdown's with him and Hound.

When the Autobots regrouped following the escape from Lockdown's ship, Optimus announced they would be leaving Earth and abandoning humanity to their fate. Drift voiced no opposition to his leader's orders, but intercepted a transmission from Joshua Joyce, informing the team that Joyce was moving KSI's drones to their facilities in China. After Cade warned Joyce of the danger Galvatron presented, Drift assured Cade that their vessel could quickly race them across the globe. It was a spaceship, after all. Optimus edited his orders: while the Autobots would stay to retrieve the Seed and stop Galvatron, they would leave Earth forever immediately afterwards.

Drift later remained with Optimus and Crosshairs when their ship was shot down by the rogue Galvatron's Decepticons over Hong Kong. Crashing in a nearby valley, Optimus revealed his trump card: the ancient Dinobots. While Optimus beat some authority into Grimlock, Drift followed Crosshairs' lead and evacuated to the sidelines to stay out of the crossfire. Though he was baffled by Grimlock's saurian alternate mode, having expected "a giant car", Drift was impressed to see his sensei take dominance over the Dinobots. Though Crosshairs grumbled about Optimus' dynamic leadership, Drift simply smiled and knew it was innate in their leader. Following Optimus's lead, Drift quickly mounted Slug and together they fought off many of Galvatron's army in Hong Kong, losing one of his swords in the process while fighting two KSI Sentries. Drift later helped escort the Yeager family and Joyce away from the city, but Lockdown intervened and nearly captured them all. Optimus, Bumblebee, and the Yeagers soon defeated Lockdown, and Drift was assigned by his sensei to watch over the Yeager family while he left Earth. Age of Extinction

The Last Knight film

Voice actor: Ken Watanabe (English), Kiyomitsu Mizūchi (Japanese), Zhang Yaohan (Chinese), Jorge Badillo (Latin American Spanish), Luis Grau (Castilian Spanish), Guillaume Orsat (European French), Éric Gaudry (Canadian French), Yu Fang (German), Andrea Lavagnino (Italian), Hercules Fernando (Portuguese)

Drift was active on Earth as early as the 1860s,^[2] working alongside another Samurai 'bot and a group of samurai in Japan.

In the years since Optimus left Earth, Drift took refuge at Cade's scrap yard with the other Autobots. He had also taken on a new vehicle mode and updated his color scheme. Despite the stagnant situation, his spare time was spent practicing with his sword and doing meditative balancing feats, which were occasionally upset by the Mini-Dinobots, especially Pterry. He showed an equal amount of disdain as his comrades when the unscrupulous Daytrader showed up, even agreeing with Hound's suggestion to frag him. He was then left quite uncomfortable by Daytrader's description of what he intended to do with some hot oil.

Soon, the Decepticons and TRF discovered their refuge and he fled with Bumblebee, Crosshairs, Cade, Jimmy, Wheelie, Izabella, and Sqweeks to a nearby town where a trap had been set up. Upon their arrival, he discovered the TRF tracking device placed on Bumblebee and masterfully disabled it with his sword. During the battle, he and Crosshairs tag teamed the much larger Onslaught, with him cutting off their enemy's leg before swiftly decapitating his "fat head". Drift then took on the remainder of the Decepticons with the others, throwing his sword at his former boss Megatron and helping force him, Nitro Zeus, and Barricade into a retreat. Afterwards, he and the other Autobots returned to the scrap yard after Cade and Bumblebee left for England.

Later, when Cybertron had approached Earth and loomed in the sky, the Autobots saw that Daytrader had finally delivered on his promise of a ship, arriving with the same Knight ship Lockdown had used. Drift was quite happy and declared that he would pilot it. He flew the Autobots to Stonehenge where they joined the humans and Guardian Knights as the returned Optimus rallied them to defend Earth. En route to Cybertron, he and the other Autobots were unimpressed with the knights, though Drift commented that they were "mean looking". He then cleared his allies for take off and wished them luck as he remained on board to pilot the knight ship. After the final battle was won, he and the other Autobots took the ship and returned home to Cybertron. The Last Knight

How to Ride your Dinobot cartoon

Drift and Slug had cornered Lockdown inside a barn, but alas, Drift had to learn how to attack with his Dinobot steed. Due to a lack of accurate instructions, Drift activated pretty much every button on Slug, activating everything but the weaponry. Some time later, Drift finally struck gold and activated the heavy weaponry... only to be immediately fried, much to his and Slug's disappointment. How to Fight

Titan movie comics

Five years before the battle of Chicago,^[3] Drift led a three-Con team on Cybertron with his friend Knucklehead and so-not-a-friend Lockdown as his subordinates. His task was to capture an Autobot stronghold, which—to Knucklehead's glee—he planned to do by storming it, in attempt to minimise bloodshed. Lockdown sneered at him for being soft and advocated bombing the place flat, which Drift pointed out was why Megatron put them in charge: so they'd have something left to rule. The three sneaked up the wall, surprised the Autobot guards, and with martial arts skill they disabled every one without a shot being fired. However, Lockdown tried to execute prisoners and when Drift stopped him, Lockdown gleefully took the opportunity to label Drift a traitor and try to whack him. Knucklehead backed up his friend and the two of them sent Lockdown falling into the fort's molten moat, swearing revenge on them both; Drift knew that he could never take revenge as long as Megatron was in charge. He then let the prisoners retreat with their wounded and was told that he'd make a fine Autobot.

By the time of Chicago, Drift had indeed switched sides and he was annoyed to be cleaning up Ark debris on the Moon instead of tracking down remaining Decepticons. Optimus was bemused that Drift was so eager to fight his former allies. While grousing that the Ark was their last memories of Cybertron laid waste, the samurai was horrified to find Knucklehead's corpse: recently killed by Lockdown without Megatron to stop him. Drift made a grave for his friend and Prime told him that they'd stand against Lockdown together. Adrift in Space and Time

How to Ride a Dinobot! comic

When Optimus Prime insisted the Autobots learn how to ride Dinobots, Drift and Crosshairs quickly managed to get atop of their steeds. Warning them not to get cocky, Optimus suggested a combat drill between the two of them. Drift charged Slug towards Crosshairs and Scorn with full force...only for the Dinobots to halt at the last moment and launch their riders into each other. But when Grimlock detected Decepticons nearby, Slug allowed Drift to ride him once again as they headed out into battle. How to Ride a Dinobot!

Toy bios

Drift’s mastery of combat tactics lets him adapt his alternate form to land or air-based battles. They also enable him maintain total control over his circuits even while under heavy enemy fire. Whereas other Autobots are pushed toward overload, Drift soldiers on with steely tactical precision.^[4]

Kre-O cartoon

Drift participated in a giant battle against the Decepticons... until Optimus began recapping the live-action film series to the audience. Drift had to interject a couple of times during Optimus's monologue to correct a few errors on Optimus's part, and punctuated the overview of the Revenge of the Fallen film by blowing up a pyramid prop. Take Us to the Movies Take Us Through the Movies

Ask Vector Prime

Sky Lynx menaced Hound and Drift in Tyran 614.19 Kappa. He could be difficult to best if you hadn't yet unlocked their Epic-level ranged weapons. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/12

A Kreon Drift was one of several members of the Silver Knights, a collection of renaissance festival enthusiasts. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/27

Games

Transformers: Age of Extinction mobile game

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Age of Extinction

Energon Rally

Drift ran across an Autobot construction site on Cybertron, collecting as much Energon as he could before his shields gave out from bumping into obstacles. Energon Rally

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

Console

Voice actor: Chris Jai Alex (English)

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

3DS

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Rise of the Dark Spark

Transformers Ultimate Allstars

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Lost Age Limited Event Lost Age Limited Event II

Transformers (Hasbro Arcade)

Drift chased a Decepticon ship while trying to avoid getting hit by obstacles. Transformers

Transformers: Forged to Fight

Drift was one of the Autobots pulled from his universe by the Quintessons and forced to fight. He eventually joins the Commander. There are at least a few of him running around! As a Warrior, He Focuses when building a combo meter, enhancing his Precision, Critical Damage, and Bleeds from his sword attacks. Transformers: Forged to Fight

A Question of Loyalty - Once a Decepticon... A Question of Loyalty - AWOL When Drift heard that Hot Rod had arrived on New Quintessa, he sought out vengeance for forsaking him in a time of need. He considered him a traitor. G1 Optimus Prime and the Commander defeated him and brought him back to base. A Question of Loyalty - Autobot Traitors

The Game Full of Death and Suffering...! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their video game appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. Story

Toys

Age of Extinction

Robots in Disguise

• Autobot Drift (One Step Changers, 2014)
  • TakaraTomy ID number: LA06
  • TakaraTomy Release Date: 2014-07-19

• Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro)

Part of the first wave of Age of Extinction Robots in Disguise One Step Changers toys, "Autobot Drift" is a simplified toy that transforms into a blue 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. He transforms by being folded inside-out/outside-in, very much like a switchblade. His sword blades are molded onto his arms, and his hands are compatible with 5 mm posts.

He's quite addictive to transform.

Initial prototype photos shown in the Age of Extinction Guide Book shows that Drift features an alternate dark grey plastic colors instead of blue as shown in the final product.

The Japanese release of Drift, released as part of the Lost Age Series subline, features additional paint details in robot mode, including blue paint on his fake hood, lower arms and shoulder armour, silver on his crotch, and gold on his face and crest.

• More information on One Step Changers Drift at TFU.info

• Transformers: Age of Extinction Collection (One-Step Changer six-pack, 2014)

The "Transformers: Age of Extinction Collection" set includes an unchanged One-Step Changer Drift, packed with an equally unchanged Grimlock, Lockdown, Bumblebee, Slug, and the included One-Step Silver Knight Optimus Prime toy.

• Autobot Drift (Flip & Change, 2014)

Part of the second wave of Flip & Change assortment, this Drift toy is a simplified version of his (spoiler-less screen-accurate) 2013 Bugatti Veyron that can auto-transform from vehicle to robot by pulling out the arms first, and then flip the figure over itself. He features articulation on his arms, and features 5mm compatible hands.

Drift shares a transformation scheme similar to his fellow Flip & Changers, Bumblebee and Lockdown.

• Autobot Drift (Power Battlers, 2014)

Part of the second wave of Power Battlers, Strafe features a simple transformation from a blue 2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse into a robot. In robot mode, squeezing Drift's legs together causes him to rotate at the waist for a "Sword Slash!" attack.

• Autobot Drift (One Step Changers, 2014)

• Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro)

Part of the third wave of Age of Extinction: Robots in Disguise One Step Changers toys, Helicopter Drift is a simplified toy that transforms into an (again, screen-inaccurate) attack helicopter in one step.

• Final Battle 4-Figure Set (Multi-pack, 2014-10-18)
  • Japanese ID number: LA-SP

The Japanese release of the toy, with no notable changes, is bundled with 1-Step Sliver Knight Optimus, Galvatron, and Slug.

• Autobot Drift & Dinobot Slug (Dino Sparkers, 2014)

• Known designers: Emiliano Santalucia (concept artist)

Dino Sparkers Drift is a static, non-transforming, non-articulated minifigure wielding a sword and riding a gradient painted Slug that you can pull back and go. This toy features a sparking gimmick.

• More information on Dino Sparker Drift at TFU.info

Generations

• Autobot Drift (Deluxe, 2014)
  • TakaraTomy ID number: AD23
  • TakaraTomy release date: 2014-07-19
  • Accessories: Two daggers, two swords

• Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro), Yūya Ōnishi (TakaraTomy), Hironori Kobayashi (deco, TakaraTomy)

Part of the second wave of Age of Extinction: Generations Deluxe Class toys, this figure of Drift features a more complex transformation and a much more articulated and proportionate robot mode. He comes with two daggers and two swords, all of which he can wield via 5mm post. All four of his weapons can store on his roof/back in various ways in robot mode, while in vehicle mode his daggers store beneath the roof and his swords store on the underside of the car.

A variant of Drift that apparently ships with wave 2.5 (which also includes Lockdown) adds black paint operations to the front vents. The two versions can be distinguished by the manufacturing date codes stamped into their packaging cardbacks.^[5]

The Takara Movie Advanced Series gives a more accurate appearance, with the same painted vents as the later Hasbro variant, a darker chest and extra paint details.

The Hasbro version of this toy has also been repurposed as Generation 1 Drift in the IDW Angry Birds Transformers comic series.

• More information on Deluxe Drift at TFU.info

• Autobots United 5 Pack (Platinum Edition, 2014)
  • Accessories: Two daggers, two swords

Platinum Edition Drift is an extensively repainted version of the Deluxe class figure above, featuring screen-accurate details...although they did not replace the vehicle shell's blue parts. The swords and daggers are now molded in grey plastic.

Drift was released as a BBTS shared exclusive "Autobots United" set along with screen-accurate redecos of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Crosshairs, and Hound.

• Autobot Drift (Voyager, 2014)
  • TakaraTomy name: Sky Drift
  • TakaraTomy ID number: AD30
  • TakaraTomy Release Date: 2017-09-10
  • Accessories: Two missile pods, two swords

• Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro), Hironori Kobayashi (deco, TakaraTomy)

Part of the second wave of Age of Extinction: Generations Voyager Class toys, this Drift is a retool of Voyager Skyhammer, transforming into a made-up (but screen-inaccurate) assault helicopter that resembles a cross between a Eurocopter Tiger and a Mil Mi-24. He features a new head and includes Skyhammer's original missile pods as well as two new swords that can combine with each other to form a larger sword. The pods can attach to 5mm peg-holes on his hands, one on each of his forearms, a pair under each of his wings, a port on the backs/insides of each of his shoulder cockpit halves, and a port underneath his cockpit. He features a very minor retool in which the "cones" on his engine intakes in vehicle mode have been enlarged.

The original version of this mold was also used to make BotCon 2013 Sandstorm.

The TakaraTomy release of the toy, called "Sky Drift", is part of the Movie Advanced Series lineup and features slightly changed paint applications: his gold feet are painted black.

• More information on Voyager Drift at TFU.info

Kre-O

• Dinobot Charge (2014)
  • Set number: A6949
  • Pieces: 66
  • Kreons: Drift, Vehicon.
  • Accessories: 2 katana

Kreon Drift comes with a buildable Slug, who he can ride to run down poor Vehicons. He features a new samurai helmet that also smartly doubles as a robo-triceratops head.

Although stock photos of Drift showed him having a gold waist, hands and leg tampographs, the actual product has much more film-accurate blue instead.

• Autobot Drift (Custom Kreon, 2014)
  • Set Number: A7839
  • Accessories: Rack, 2 katana, 2 shuriken, 2 sai, torso-armor/rotor-blade

Part of the first assortment of Age of Extinction Custom Kreons, this version of Drift is cast in metal-flake plastics, and replaces the blues with gold. He comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. His "normal" helmet and shuriken are chromed, plus he comes with an extra clear-plastic helmet, torso and legs. He also has a pair of extra arms (originally from the Kre-O Battleship aliens), a single pare hand, and a helicopter-rotor backpack. The helicopter blades cannot spin freely while Drift wears his helmet, as they just brush up against the back of the helmet.

Please note that in some samples, the chromed shuriken cannot be pegged onto the hard plastic posts due to small nub marks left in the center of the hole.

• Silver Knight Autobots (2014)
  • Set number: A8602
  • Kreons: Drift, Optimus Prime, Hound, Crosshairs, Bumblebee.
  • Accessories: 2 katana

Silver Knight Drift is cast in metallic silver and pewter, with a slightly-brighter blue. Where all the other Kreons in the set got new melee weapons, Drift sticks with his trusty katana.

This five-pack of Kreons was not released in the US or Canada, only seeing release in various Asian markets.

• Autobot Drift (Kreon Triple Changer, 2015)
  • Accessories: 2 swords, Slipstream & Jetstorm Kreons

Kreon Triple Changer Autobot Drift mooshes all the incarnations of Drift into one form! This built-up Kreon transforms from robot to sportscar to helicopter, without needing to be disassmebled. His general appearance is based on Generation 1 Drift, his altmodes come from Age of Extinction Drift, and of course his micro-Kreon Mini-Con partners Slipstream and Jetstorm hail from Robots in Disguise Drift.

Drift (along with Blitzwing) was shown at Toy Fair 2015, but no accounts of it seeing release in any market have ever surfaced.

Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

• "Beach Drift" (2015)
  • Set number: B4024
  • Accessories: Beach towel

This unnamed polybag kit features Drift in a gloriously gaudy Hawaiian shirt and shorts, shark-tooth necklace, and killer shades. He also comes with a beach towel to chill out on. He uses the 2015 style revamped Kreon body, which is pretty much incompatible with older-style Kreons below the neck.

How and where this kit was to be released is unknown. A few bagged samples have appeared on eBay.

Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

• Knight Drift (Kreon Warrior, 2015)
  • Collection: 4
  • Accessories: 2 swords, display stand

Part of the canceled fourth assortment of Kreon Warriors, Knight Drift is a Kreon in medieval knight armor, with a deco of ornate scale-mail. He's still armed with two swords, but this time they're broadswords.

The Collection 4 Kreon Warriors were never released anywhere, but a complete (presumably unbagged) set eventually was found in China in 2023.

Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

• Samurai Drift (Kreon Warrior, 2015)
  • Collection: 4
  • Accessories: Bladed nunchaku, display stand

Part of the canceled fourth assortment of Kreon Warriors, Samurai Drift is... well, kinda redundant, really. Now in much more elaborate armor deco, he carries a nuncahku that ends in scythe-blades rather than his normal swords.

The Collection 4 Kreon Warriors were never released anywhere, but a complete (presumably unbagged) set eventually was found in China in 2023.

Proceed on your way to oblivion. This item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Construct-Bots

• Drift (Dinobot Rider, 2014)

• Known designers: Andrew Scribner (deco artist)

Drift is part of the first wave of the Dinobot Riders and as such is designed to ride any of the Dinobot figures of the same line. He transforms into a small car that could resemble a Bugatti Veyron if you've got macular degeneration. He includes a small sword. His nominal Dinobot partner is Slug.

Most of his parts were used to make Stinger. Like most Construct Bots figures, Drift's rubber ball joints can harden over time, which prevents smooth posing.

• More information on Dinobot Rider Drift at TFU.ibnfo

• Drift with Roughneck (Dinobot Warrior, 2014)

• Known designers: Andrew Scribner (deco artist)

Part of the first wave of Dinobot Warriors, Drift is inspired by the Age of Extinction character, and transforms from robot to car-like thing. Drift includes a large sword as well as his ankylosaurian buddy, Roughneck who transforms into body armor and a crossbow and arrow pack. The stock photos show his legs missing the armor.

• More information on Dinobot Warrior Drift at TFU.info

Hero Mashers

• Drift (Action Figure, 2014)
  • Pieces: 10
  • Accessories: Longsword, shortsword

Part of the first wave of Transformers Hero Mashers basic Action Figures, Drift is a non-transforming action figure with ratchet-joints, about six inches tall. He has multiple peg-holes all over that can be used to mount any Hero Mashers accessory. Curiously, his hands are in a sorta-Spider-Man pose. As a first-wave figure, he has extra ankle articulation that is not present in later waves (a cut that was made to all Hero Mashers lines, not just the Transformers-branded ones).

He is designed with a removable head, forearms, thighs, and lower legs, all of which use the same clip-peg/hole joint. This means his pieces can be swapped around in any order, as well as swapped with any other Hero Mashers figure... which includes figures from Marvel Comics, Star Wars, and Jurassic World, meaning you can make some pretty freaky combinations.

Interestingly, some of Drift's torso detailing appears to be based directly on the Generation 1 Bludgeon design first seen in Stormbringer. A preliminary image of the toy (with some different molding) was shown with Bludgeon's colors.

• More information on Hero Mashers Drift at TFU.info

The Last Knight

Tiny Turbo Changers

• Autobot Drift (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2017)
  • Series: 2
  • Bag Code: N

Released in the second series of The Last Knight Tiny Turbo Changers, Drift is made of soft plastic and changes from a tiny robot mode to a small unlicensed approximation of his Mercedes-AMG GT R mode from the 5th live-action film, though he's cast in all red plastic so his car mode is red and not black like in the movie. His wheels are molded in place and cannot roll and hands can accommodate 3mm post weapons.

Turbo Changers

• Autobot Drift (One-Step Turbo Changer, 2017)
  • TakaraTomy ID number: TLK-27
  • TakaraTomy release date: 2017-09-16

Released as part of the third wave of Turbo Changers, this Drift is an all-new mold, whose transformation scheme consists of flipping the center of the rear of the vehicle to convert into robot mode. He is also a shellformer due to his transformation scheme.

Allspark Tech

• Autobot Drift (Allspark Tech, 2017)

Allspark Tech Drift transforms from a Rescue Bots-styled robot into a car that somewhat resembles a Mercedes-AMG GT R and back. His chest also features a cavity for the electronic Allspark Cube, which gives him different sound effects for his robot and vehicle modes.

Legion Class

• Autobot Drift (Legion Class, 2017)

Originally a solicited-but-cancelled toy leaked in 2014, Drift finally gets his own Legion Class figure. He transforms from a pocket-sized robot into a small unlicensed approximation of a 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R. He also features 3mm compatible holes on his pair of hands and his vehicle roof (although loose).

Due to loose connections on the tab, his front vehicle bumper tab is easily undone with a press of a finger. Otherwise, his pair of legs is fairly well articulated, although it was used for transformation. However, he has some slight issues on standing up if his legs are not properly adjusted or straightened.

Premier Edition

• Autobot Drift (Deluxe, 2017)
  • TakaraTomy ID number: TLK-10
  • TakaraTomy release date: 2017-07-15
  • Accessories: Two daggers, two swords

• Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro)

The Last Knight Premier Edition Drift is a redeco and heavy retool of the first Deluxe Class toy with new external car panels and the torso/head with some parts reused from the original Deluxe Class toy, and he transforms from robot into a 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R. The figure itself is turned upside down within the vehicle shell, as the front of the car now forms the feet/legs, while the back end now forms his robot chest. This also comes at the cost of him having a faux chest.

In Asia, Drift and the rest of the Wave 2 Deluxes (though limited in numbers) were later sold at Popular Book stores in Malaysia, at a discounted price of RM89.90 ($21), though the price was later cut down to RM69.90 ($16) as part of the "Must Buy!" offers. TakaraTomy's stock photo of the robot mode figure was later used as a cutout "battle figure" included with TV Magazine's Burning Megatron.

Turbo Change Series

• Autobot Drift
  • TakaraTomy ID number: TC-11
  • TakaraTomy Release Date: 2018-7-21

The first Turbo Change Series Drift is a rerelease of the first Age of Extinction One-Step Changer toy.

• Battle Command Optimus Prime - Strongest Directive Set (2018)
  • TakaraTomy ID number: TC-13
  • TakaraTomy Release Date: 2018-10-27

Released as part of the re-issued Optimus Prime set, this Turbo Change Series Drift is a redeco of the second Age of Extinction One-Step Changer toy inspired by his appearance in The Last Knight.

Movie Edition

• Autobot Drift (Tiny Turbo Changers, 2018)
  • Series: 3
  • Bag code: N

Tiny Turbo Changers Series 3 Drift is a redeco of the series 2 Drift figure in blue, to represent the colors he had in Age of Extinction.

Studio Series

• Autobot Drift & Dinobot 'Tops, Dinobot Pterry, Dinobot Sharp T (Multi-pack, 2019)
  • Movie: The Last Knight
  • Hasbro ID number: 36
  • TakaraTomy name: Autobot Drift with Mini Dinobots
  • TakaraTomy ID number: SS-EX
  • TakaraTomy release date: March 2019
  • Accessories: 2 daggers, 2 swords, large sword, "Junkyard Meditation" backdrop

Studio Series Drift is an extensive redeco and a new head retool of his previous The Last Knight Premier Edition Deluxe class figure in more screen-accurate colors to his portrayal in The Last Knight. In addition to his swords and daggers from previous releases of the mold, he comes with a new, larger sword and small figures of the Baby Dinobots. Unfortunately, there is no place to store the new sword in either mode. As with all Studio Series figures, he includes a cardboard backdrop, this one depicting the junkyard from The Last Knight, particularly the spot where Drift performs his meditative feats. Unlike the digital render, the final toy omits the silver paint applications on his arms.

The set was originally available through Entertainment Earth, but was subsequently also offered by other online retailers. In Japan, the set was released as a Toys"R"Us exclusive. When ordered at Entertainment Earth, Drift came with 2 enamel pins: one of his robot mode and the other of the Studio Series logo.

• Autobot Drift (Deluxe Class, 2019)
  • Movie: Age of Extinction
  • Hasbro ID number: 45
  • TakaraTomy name: Sky Drift
  • TakaraTomy ID number: SS-38
  • TakaraTomy release date: August 31, 2019
  • Accessories: 2 swords, tail rotor, 2 missile pods, "Autobot Reunion" backdrop

The general retail Studio Series Deluxe Class Drift figure is an extensive retool of the helicopter Dropkick figure, sharing half of the lower legs, feet, and wing pylons, with everything else being completely new components. Drift transforms into his briefly-seen helicopter mode from Age of Extinction. The helicopter's detachable tail rotor can mount onto his forearms or back in robot mode. He comes with 2 missile pods that can attach via 5 mm posts under the helicopter's wings or to the sides of the robot legs.

He also comes with two swords, which attach to his main propeller rotor assembly to form helicopter blades in vehicle mode, and can store on either hip in robot mode. The main rotor assembly folds up to resemble his (unremovable) back-mounted daggers in robot mode. Lastly, he also comes with a cardboard backdrop display depicting the Autobot meetup in Age of Extinction.

Merchandise

Revenge of the Fallen

RPMs - Robot Powered Machines

• Autobot Drift (2010)
  • Series: Double Siders
  • Number: ?

Robot Powered Machines Mini-Vehicle Autobot Drift is a small, non-transforming, die-cast car based on his mainstream counterpart's vehicle mode. His robot mode is sculpted underneath the vehicle, and his wheels use through-axle construction that lets the toy zip around at high speeds on smooth surfaces. Thanks to his oversized tires, he can slide along rightside-up or upside-down.

The intended RPM release of "Double Siders" Drift never came out. Though it was going to be recycled into Speed Stars, the RPM version had more paint operations, including having his name printed on his hood and bumper. The only image of the toy comes from a downloadable poster that was on the official Transformers website of Turkey.

This mold was also used to make Speed Stars Breakdown.

End of the road. This Robot Powered Machines/Speed Stars item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

• Autobot Drift (2010)
  • Series: Allspark
  • Number: 04

"Allspark" Drift was presumably a redeco of "Double Siders" Drift. Though listed on the back of the Asian market release of RPM "Allspark" Starscream, it has never officially been depicted. However, an otherwise unknown redeco of the Drift mold with blue detailing was displayed at Toy Fair 2010, amongst a mix of cancelled RPM and planned Speed Stars vehicles. It is possible that this mystery redeco was the aborted "Allspark" Drift.

End of the road. This Robot Powered Machines/Speed Stars item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Speed Stars

• Drift (Mini-Vehicle, 2011?)
  • Series: Double Siders
  • Number: ?

A redeco of the unreleased RPM "Double Siders" Drift, Speed Stars Drift is a small non-transforming die-cast car. He features notably fewer paint operations than the RPM version.

Like its RPM predecessor, Speed Stars Drift was never released.

End of the road. This Robot Powered Machines/Speed Stars item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Age of Extinction

• Autobot Functional Weapon Drift Sword (2014)

A replica of one of Drift's katana, this item was released alongside a roleplay version of Optimus Prime's Sword of Judgment. Both swords feature lights and sounds. These appear to only have been released in the Chinese market.

Funrise Toys

• Transformers Plush - Drift Katana Sword (2014)

Released by Funrise Toys, this plush version of Drift's katana features electonic sound effect noises.

Titan Heroes

• Autobot Drift (Titan Heroes, 2014)

Autobot Drift is a non-transforming, screen-accurate (robot-mode wise) yet terribly molded and painted Titan Heroes figure. Like all Titan Heroes figures, It features very little articulation. Due to him having painted human eyes instead of the usual blue robot optics, he is creepy as hell.

Pop!

• Autobot Drift (2014)
  • ID number: 103

Released as part of the Pop! Movies segment, Funko's Pop! Drift is a super deformed vinyl figure based on his appearance in Age of Extinction.

Prime 1 Studio

• Drift (2015)
  • Movie: Age of Extinction
  • ID number: MMTFM-06
  • Accessories: Base, 2 sword-holding hands

Limited to 750 pieces, Prime 1 Studio's Museum Masterline Drift is a huge non-transforming sculpture based on his Age of Extinction appearance. The statue is made of polystone along with other materials and features light-up LED eyes.

He comes with a pair of alternate hands holding his swords.

• Drift (2019)
  • Movie: The Last Knight
  • ID number: MMTFM-22
  • Accessories: Base, 2 sword-holding hands

Limited to 300 pieces, this version of Museum Masterline Drift is based on his The Last Knight appearance and also features light-up LED eyes.

He also comes with a pair of alternate hands holding his swords.

The Last Knight

Simba Smoby

• Autobot Drift (Die-cast Figurine, 2017)

This Drift is a 1/64 non-transforming robot mode figurine, and like the MetaColle figures, he was made partially out of Die-cast metal.

• Autobot Drift (Die-cast cars, 2017)

This Drift is a 1/64 non-transforming but screen-accurate vehicle mode based on his alternate mode seen in the film. He features through-axle construction, allowing for super-speedy racing on smooth surfaces, and his car mode is compatible with many tracks and playsets from Hot Wheels and Matchbox.

Hot Wheels

• Bugatti Veyron (Transformers, 2024)

• Transformers ID number: 4/5

Made in collaboration with Mattel, this redeco of the Hot Wheels Bugatti Veyron casting is made to resemble the color scheme of Drift in Age of Extinction. The packaging makes use of stock images of evergreen Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Notes

• Not counting Mixmaster's battle mode, Drift is the first Triple Changer seen on-screen in the live action films, transforming from a helicopter to a sports car at will. Sadly, the complexity the movie aesthetic gives him means that none of his toys have three modes. Drift is only seen transforming into his new Mercedes alternate mode in The Last Knight, leaving it unknown if he still possesses a third mode.
• While the original Drift and other incarnations of the character have had Japanese motifs, this Drift's appearance is heavily based upon that of a samurai.
• In Rise of the Dark Spark, Drift's alternate mode appears to be comically large – the sports car is of comparable size to tanks found in the environment!
• Drift also holds the distinction of being the only new character in Age of Extinction besides the Dinobots to not be called by name, though briefly during the scene where Galvatron chases the Autobots, he is identified on KSI's satellite feed. The Last Knight later properly identified him on-screen.

• A mock-up of a black redeco of Generations "G1" Drift in colours based on Age of Extinction Drift appeared in Transformers Generations 2014 Volume 1 as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. This "Autobot Drift Black Ver." (placeholder name) didn't win the poll to determine which of the ten would be produced, however, ending up in fourth place with 12.7% of the votes.^[6]
• Drift, along with Hound, sports one of the most drastic changes to an Age of Extinction Autobot, switching the Bugatti Veyron for a Mercedes AMG GT R in The Last Knight.
• His Mercedes alt-mode reflects his original planned color for Age of Extinction.
  • Before The Last Knight was released, people noticed that Drift's mostly black vehicle mode somehow turned into a predominantly red robot mode, to the point where black vehicle parts became red kibble. This seems to have been addressed in the film proper, but the toys kept this oddity.
• Drift was the only new Age of Extinction Autobot to have an on-screen transformation in his debut film, though he only appeared in helicopter mode whenever he does.
• In a surprising attention to detail and continuity, after throwing one of his swords at a drone in the fourth film, Drift is still missing the blade at the conclusion of Age of Extinction and The Last Knight.
• Eric Bauza, voice actor of Robots in Disguise Drift, recorded the scratch track for Drift in Age of Extinction, with some of his screams and efforts remaining in the final film.^[7]

Foreign names

• Japanese: Drift (ドリフト Dorifuto)
• Mandarin: Shuǎiwěi (Taiwan, 甩尾, "Drift"), Piāoyí (China, 漂移, "Drift")

References