Minibot


 * The Minibots are a subgroup of Transformers from the Generation 1 continuity family.

The Mini Vehicles (also known as Minibots, Mini-Autobots, or Minicars) are Transformers of small stature. Size notwithstanding, many had considerable abilities or armaments, the latter usually built-in, as they usually did not carry guns or fit external launchers.

Toys
The Mini Vehicles were small, simple, and inexpensive toys.

In 1984, the Mini Vehicles were originally known as "Minicars". But after that year, non-car toys were added to their subgroup, and so the new, more general term was needed. Mini Vehicles were in production from 1984 to 1986. Many were redecoed or retooled from the earlier Micro Change line. They generally had super deformed proportions in vehicle mode, since in the Microchange backstory they represented robots that became small toy cars. (Specifically, they were meant to look like Choro-Q / Penny Racer cars.)

After 1986, their place as the line's low-end price point was filled by a series of gimmick-based groups, including the Throttlebots, Triggerbots/Triggercons, and Micromaster patrols.

Generation 1
1984 A seventh toy was also available briefly in the early releases of the line. The toy that would eventually become known as "Bumper" did not have its own name or card, but came on either Bumblebee or Cliffjumper cards. How the hell this happened is still a mystery, though it is possible that he was to have been released in the U.S. Bumper's toy, in different colors, was released in South American markets with unique card art and Tech Specs as "Sedan".
 * Bumblebee — Espionage
 * Brawn — Demolition
 * Cliffjumper — Warrior
 * Gears — Transport / Reconnaissance
 * Huffer — Construction Engineer
 * Windcharger — Warrior

1985 The six standard Mini Cars from 1984 were made available again. ("Bumper", of course, was not.) In addition, the Mini Vehicles had bonus Mini-spies attached to the cards for a time.
 * Beachcomber — Geologist
 * Cosmos — Reconnaissance & Communications
 * Powerglide — Aerial Warrior
 * Seaspray — Naval Defense
 * Warpath — Warrior

1986 The five Mini Vehicles new to 1985 were also re-released in 1986. Bumblebee continued to ship through '86 as well, the only one released in 1984 to do so.
 * Hubcap — Communications
 * Outback — Gunner
 * Pipes — Warrior
 * Swerve — Metallurgist
 * Tailgate — Scout
 * Wheelie — Survivalist

1985 Brazil
 * Camaro
 * Carrera
 * Jipe
 * Pick-Up
 * Sedan
 * Sedan
 * Volks

Generation 2
Four Autobot 'Minibots' were re-released as vacuum-metalized versions for Generation 2.
 * Beachcomber — green chrome version of 1985 toy
 * Bumblebee — gold chrome version of 1984 toy
 * Hubcap — red chrome version of 1986 toy
 * Seaspray — violet or blue chrome version of 1985 toy

Keychains
In the early 2000s, four of the original mini-cars were released first by Fun4All and then by Basic Fun with little rings molded on to make them into keychains. These were released blindpacked by Takara in Japan with all-black variants.
 * Bumblebee
 * Cliffjumper
 * Windcharger
 * Brawn

Expanded Universe

 * Glyph — Archaeometrist
 * Tap-Out — Bodyguard

Universe

 * Rook — Journalist

Generation 1 cartoon
The concept of "Mini Vehicles" was not directly addressed fictionally, but the Mini Vehicle characters were consistently drawn to a smaller scale than other Autobots.

Audiobooks
Cliffjumper identifies himself as a Minicar to Dr. Heath Blaisedale.

Foreign names

 * Japanese: Minibot (ミニボット Minibotto)