Excellion Review: Cybertron’s Fiery Speed Demon Unleashed
There’s something electric about cracking open a fresh Transformers figure and watching a new legend roll out of the box—especially when that legend comes wrapped in flames, attitude, and the unmistakable roar of a high-performance sports car. The Transformers Age of the Primes Excellion delivers exactly that thrill, celebrating two decades of high-stakes Cybertronian racing and interstellar intrigue from the beloved Cybertron animated series. At 5.5 inches tall in robot mode, this Deluxe Class release captures the essence of a brooding speed demon who moves like a shadow on wheels and strikes like a comet.
From the moment you free him from his packaging, the figure feels alive with possibility—articulated joints ready for dramatic poses, a sleek vehicle mode begging to be sent screaming across the desk, and just enough flair to remind you why speed and stealth have always been a deadly combination in the Transformers universe. This isn’t just another shelf-sitter; it’s a portal back to the planet Velocitron’s racetracks and the shadowy corners of Decepticon strongholds where one lone Autobot earned respect the hard way. Let’s take a deep dive into what makes this red-and-orange rocket such a standout addition to any collection.
The Official Biography of Excellion
Excellion is a Velocitronian Autobot from the Cybertron portion of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family. A brooding loner from the planet Velocitron, he has actually won more respect from the Decepticons than he has the Autobots by successfully infiltrating their base completely unseen on more than one occasion. While the Autobots appreciate his efforts, it’s his attitude that has estranged him from his peers. With any luck, his new mentor Blurr can whip him into shape.
In the Timelines fiction story “The Dark Heart of Sandokan,” following the war with Galvatron, Excellion stepped up to join the Autobots and fell under Override’s command on board the Star Arrow. During a space mission when they were transporting a valuable Force Chip, the Star Arrow was shot down above the planet Sandokan. While searching for the means of repairing their ship, Excellion and the Autobots were attacked by Synthos, the deranged creature who had brought their ship down. They managed to retreat to a cave where they set up camp to repair their injuries and signal for rescue. Unfortunately, things were never that simple. The Decepticon mercenary known as Astrotrain arrived on Sandokan, searching for their Force Chip and the Dark Heart of Sandokan that powered Synthos. Excellion kept watch over their injured comrades Blurr and Longrack while Override and Swerve confronted the Decepticon. He was caught unawares by Astrotrain’s Mini-Con partners, however, and lost the Force Chip to the mercenaries.
The Autobots raced after Astrotrain, and caught up with the Decepticon during a skirmish between him and Synthos. Astrotrain attempted to overpower the creature by using the Force Chip, but was fighting a losing battle. Synthos got possession of the Force Chip and nearly became unstoppable as he tried to add its power to his own Dark Heart. Luckily, Excellion and Blurr managed to fend off the creature and reclaim the Force Chip before any of their enemies could. In an ironic twist, the Autobots were then saved by the arrival of the space pirate Cannonball, Astrotrain’s employer. As the Decepticons occupied themselves with the threat of Synthos, Excellion and the Autobots snuck aboard Cannonball’s shuttle and assumed control of the vessel. With the Force Chip safely tucked away, they began their journey back to Cybertron.
In the Age of the Primes line, Excellion is presented as a descendant of one of the Thirteen Primes: Amalgamous Prime. The Thirteen Primes are the very first bots in Transformers mythology, a pantheon of Thirteen beings, each with a unique ability and personality. Every battle, every bot, and every power in the Transformers universe can be traced back to one of The Thirteen.
Unboxing the Cybertron Speedster
Sliding the figure out of its window box feels like opening a time capsule from the golden days of the Cybertron series. The packaging bursts with red and gold accents, bold “17 STEPS” graphics, and artwork that perfectly echoes the fiery energy of the original animated series. Inside, Excellion sits proudly in robot mode, his translucent blue blaster and matching Cyber Planet Key tucked neatly beside him. The cardback art shows him mid-transformation, spoiler wings flared, flames licking the hood of his sports-car alternate mode. Even the instructions are crisp and straightforward, guiding you through every click and tab with the kind of clarity that makes first-time transformers feel like seasoned veterans. The moment you lift him free, the weight feels satisfying—solid plastic, tight joints, and that unmistakable new-toy scent that hits every collector right in the nostalgia circuits. No loose parts, no missing pieces, just pure, ready-to-roll excitement.
Robot Mode: A Brooding Warrior in Plastic
Stand Excellion upright and the first thing that hits you is the attitude. The yellow helmet with its sharp, angular crest gives him a focused, almost predatory stare. Red shoulder armor flares out dramatically, while the torso mixes matte red with gunmetal gray panels and a bright yellow chevron that screams “high-performance engineering.” Orange limbs add a fiery contrast that pops under any light, and those translucent blue accents on the forearms and lower legs catch every glint like afterburners ready to ignite. The chest features layered detailing—vents, armor plates, and subtle silver paint that makes the whole sculpt feel deeper than it has any right to be at this scale.
Look closer and the homage to classic Cybertron styling shines through: the broad shoulders, the way the backpack integrates seamlessly into the silhouette, and the spoiler wings that can be manually deployed for that extra touch of menace. The head sculpt captures a serious, no-nonsense expression—perfect for a loner who’s seen more than his share of solo missions. Paint apps are clean and vibrant: gold trim on the chest, silver highlights on the joints, and just enough red wash to make the flames on the lower legs feel alive. The hands are sculpted to grip the included blaster securely, and the feet plant firmly thanks to wide, stable heels. Every panel lines up beautifully in this mode, with no obvious gaps or floppy bits. He stands tall, shoulders squared, ready to stare down an entire Decepticon battalion—or at least your desk lamp.
Vehicle Mode: Blazing Across the Asphalt
Flip him over and the transformation begins, but even before the final clicks, you can already see the sleek sports car taking shape. The finished vehicle mode is a stunner: a low-slung, aggressive red racer with gold flame decals licking across the hood and rear quarters. Translucent blue windows give a cockpit view that hints at high-speed pursuits, while silver-painted headlights and wheel hubs add that premium showroom shine. The wheels roll smoothly on all four corners, and the rear spoiler (with its orange wings manually positioned) gives the whole thing a wind-tunnel-tested profile.
Those gold flames aren’t just decoration—they curve dynamically along the body panels, suggesting the kind of velocity that leaves scorch marks on the track. The front end features aggressive air intakes and a pointed nose that looks built for breaking the sound barrier. Even the undercarriage is detailed, with molded suspension elements and tabs that lock everything together without a single rattle. Park him next to any other vehicle-mode Transformers and he holds his own, looking every bit the elite racer from Velocitron’s legendary circuits. The blaster can peg neatly onto the roof for a mobile artillery look, and the Cyber Planet Key slides into the rear slot like it was always meant to be there. Roll him across a smooth surface and you can almost hear the engine whine.
The Transformation Process: Step by Step Thrill
Transforming Excellion is a genuine joy—17 deliberate, satisfying steps that never feel tedious. Start by straightening the arms and legs, then fold the spoiler wings flat. Push the backpack panel rearward and lift the blue windshield section. Swing the head back into the torso, rotate the shoulders upward until they click together, and begin the leg fold: ankle hinges swing the feet inward, lower-leg panels open, and the entire leg assembly collapses forward over the thighs until the wheels align. The arms swing down to form the sides of the car, tabbing securely into the leg sections.
Transformation Rating: EASY
The Experience: This figure offers a smooth, satisfying conversion process. The parts move freely and require minimal force, making it a truly "fidget-friendly" toy. You can transform it back and forth with ease—most people only need to check the manual once (if at all).
Rotate the backpack 180 degrees so the windshield faces forward, swing the rear panel up to fill the gap, and finally seat the blaster on top and the Cyber Planet Key in the rear slot. Every tab clicks with authority, every hinge moves smoothly, and the final result feels rock-solid. It’s the kind of transformation that rewards patience and rewards you with a dramatically different silhouette each time. Repeat it a dozen times and you’ll still find yourself grinning at how elegantly the sports car emerges from the brooding robot.
Accessories That Pack a Punch
Excellion comes with two perfectly themed extras that enhance both modes without overwhelming the figure. The blaster is a translucent blue beauty—long-barreled, with a curved grip and a peg at the base that accepts blast-effect pieces if you have them in your collection. It fits snugly in either hand or mounts on the vehicle roof for instant road-warrior vibes. The Cyber Planet Key is equally striking: translucent blue plastic with silver dashboard detailing and the unmistakable Speed Planet logo. Slide it into the slot on his back in robot mode or the rear of the car and the figure instantly feels more alive, as if the ancient power of Velocitron is coursing through every circuit.
Poses and Articulation: Bringing the Brooder to Life
With 26 points of articulation, Excellion can strike poses that capture his stealthy, high-speed personality perfectly. The head turns and tilts for dramatic stares. Ball-jointed shoulders and elbows let him aim the blaster in countless ways, while the wrists rotate for fine adjustments. The waist and hips offer a surprising range of motion, letting him crouch, lunge, or sprint in place. Knee and ankle joints are tight and expressive, so he can plant one foot forward in a classic action stance or balance on a single leg for those “just landed from a rooftop” moments. The removable forearm panels (which reveal standard 5 mm ports) add even more display options, though the figure looks fantastic even without touching them. Whether you want him brooding in the shadows or charging forward with blaster raised, the joints hold every pose without drooping.
How Excellion Fits into the Age of the Primes Collection
As part of the Age of the Primes line, Excellion brings a direct bloodline to the very foundation of Transformer mythology. His connection to Amalgamous Prime—the legendary shapeshifter among the Thirteen—adds a layer of gravitas that makes him feel bigger than his Deluxe size. Place him alongside other figures from the line and the shared design language clicks instantly: compatible ports, consistent scale, and that unmistakable “first-generation power” vibe. He’s a perfect bridge between the fast-and-furious Cybertron era and the ancient lore of the Primes, giving collectors a character who can race alongside modern speedsters or stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legendary descendants.
Imagining the Action: Lore-Inspired Play
Set Excellion on a shelf with a few other Autobots and suddenly the room feels like the bridge of the Star Arrow. Pose him guarding a Force Chip replica while the blaster rests ready on his shoulder. Slide him into vehicle mode and send him weaving between obstacles on the desk, imagining high-speed chases across the dunes of Sandokan. The Cyber Planet Key becomes the key to unlocking hidden speed boosts in your mind’s eye, while the spoiler wings flare as he banks around imaginary corners. The brooding expression invites stories of lone missions—slipping past enemy lines, retrieving vital data, then vanishing before anyone knows he was there. The figure’s tight engineering means you can recreate those tense moments from the official fiction without fear of parts popping off mid-scene.
Conclusion
The Transformers Age of the Primes Excellion is everything a modern Deluxe should be: faithful to its animated roots, packed with personality, and built to last through countless transformations and display rearrangements. From the striking red-and-orange color scheme to the smooth 17-step conversion, the solid articulation, and the perfectly matched accessories, this figure delivers pure joy every time you pick it up. Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting the Cybertron series on its 20th anniversary or a new collector drawn to the mystique of the Thirteen Primes, Excellion earns a prime spot on the shelf. He’s fast, he’s stealthy, and he carries the weight of ancient lineage without ever losing that lone-wolf edge. If you’ve been waiting for a speedster who can brood in robot mode and burn rubber in vehicle mode, your search ends here. Roll out, grab one while you can, and let the red racer remind you why speed will always be the ultimate weapon in the Transformers universe. Excellion doesn’t just transform—he elevates the entire experience.
Transformers: Age of the Primes – Market Index
The figures below represent market values at the time of this review. View the full and updated [Transformers: Age of the Primes] guide.
DELUXE CLASS
| Figure Name | Retail (MSRP) | Secondary Avg | Status / Notes |
| Combaticon Blast Off | $27.99 | $47.66 | 🔥 Wave 3 (Hot / Bruticus Limb) |
| Combaticon Vortex | $24.99 | $33.34 | 📈 Wave 2 (Strong) |
| Quickstrike | $27.99 | $32.27 | Wave 3, 2026 |
| Targetmaster Sureshot | $27.99 | $31.99 | Wave 3, 2026 |
| Fireflight | $24.99 | $30.75 | 2025 Aerialbot |
| Aerialbot Air Raid | $24.99 | $30.07 | Wave 1, 2025 |
| Skydive | $24.99 | $27.49 | 2025 Aerialbot |
| Alchemist Prime | $24.99 | $25.71 | Wave 2, 2025 |
| Junkion Jalopy | $27.99 | $25.11 | Wave 3, 2026 |
| Micronus Prime | $24.99 | $24.30 | 2025 |
| Sideways | $24.97 | $23.75 | 2025 |
| Decepticon Crasher | $24.99 | $21.99 | Wave 2, 2025 |
| Slingshot | $24.99 | $21.35 | Wave 1, 2025 |
| Fugitive Waspinator | $24.99 | $21.25 | Wave 1, 2025 |
| Excellion | $24.97 | $21.00 | 2025 |
| Venin | $24.99 | $17.88 | 📉 Value Pick |
| Solus Prime | $24.99 | $17.32 | 📉 Value Pick |
| Cliffjumper / Ratchet | $27.99 | N/A | 2026 New Releases |
| Sureshot | $27.99 | $31.99 | 2026 New Releases |
VOYAGER CLASS
| Figure Name | Retail (MSRP) | Secondary Avg | Status / Notes |
| Combaticon Brawl | $42.99 | $58.88 | 🔥 Wave 3 (Hot / Bruticus Limb) |
| Prima Prime | $34.99 | $46.86 | 📈 Wave 1 (High Demand) |
| Amalgamous Prime | $42.99 | $44.38 | Wave 3, 2026 |
| Alpha Trion | $34.99 | $39.04 | 2025 |
| Heatwave (Rescue Bots) | $34.99 | $33.89 | 2025 |
| Sky-Byte (RID) | $34.99 | $33.74 | 2025 |
| Decepticon Flatline | $34.99 | $33.21 | 2025 |
| Junkion Wreck-Gar | $42.99 | $29.88 | 📉 Below Retail |
| Red Alert (Armada) | $34.99 | $21.20 | 📉 Cooling Rapidly |
LEADER / COMMANDER / TITAN
| Figure Name | Retail (MSRP) | Secondary Avg | Status / Notes |
| Megatronus the Fallen | $54.99 | $69.86 | 💎 Wave 1 Premium |
| Onyx Prime | $54.99 | $59.36 | 2025 Leader |
| Maximal Big Convoy | $59.99 | $58.83 | Wave 3, 2026 |
| Razorclaw | $59.99 | $48.14 | 📉 Below Retail |
| G2 Grimlock & Wheelie | $54.99 | $41.42 | 📉 Cooling |
| Aerialbot Silverbolt | $89.99 | $81.91 | Commander / Superion |
| Star Optimus Prime | $149.99 | $138.27 | Titan Class |
Quick Takeaways
• Strongest secondary performers so far: Vortex, Blast Off, Brawl, Megatronus the Fallen, and Prima Prime.
• Most 2026 releases are still too new for meaningful secondary data.
• Many early 2025 Deluxes and Voyagers are sitting at or below retail on the aftermarket.
• The big Titan and exclusives hold value well but rarely appreciate dramatically.
Price Fluctuation Warning: Secondary market prices can change rapidly due to collector demand, rarity, condition (mint vs. opened), reissues, anniversaries, and overall market trends. New releases often start near retail but may rise with scarcity; older figures can drop if restocked or fall if demand cools.
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