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Mach 5

From Speed Racer

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Mach 5

Mach 5 in the original series.
the new Mach 5 in the Speed Racer film



Summary (1967 series)

The Mach 5 was designed and built by Pops Racer of Racer Motors, (Originally Mifune Motors in the manga). The car was built with seven different features that are activated by lettered buttons on the steering column. Each gadget serves a special prupose that ranges from maintenance, self-defense, and manuverability. The Mach 5 was originally built with a less powerful engine but was later equipped with highly improved one after the first episode.

 

Buttons

  • Button A (Auto Jacks): “Releases powerful jacks to boost the car so anyone can quickly make any necessary repairs or adjustments.” Although not designed for this function, the auto jacks can also be used to “jump” the car short distances at high speeds. The "chyock chyock" sound effect played whenever the car jumped through the air is instantly recognizable to the show's fans.
  • Button B (Belt Tires): Toggles special grip tires for traction over rough terrain (firm, icy, or unsteady ground, ocean floor, vertical mountainsides etc.). At the same time, 5,000 horsepower is distributed equally to each wheel by auxiliary engines.
  • Button C (Cutters): For use traveling over heavily wooded terrain. A matched pair of powerful rotary saws protrude from the front of the Mach 5 to cut away many obstacles.
  • Button D (Deflector): Releases a powerful transparent cover which seals the cockpit into an air-tight chamber. The cover is bullet- and crash-proof. The cockpit becomes a water-tight chamber which then allows the car to be completely submerged under water.
  • Button E * ("Evening Eye"): Controls special illumination lights "which can be controlled singularly or in tandem", allowing the driver to see more clearly than with ordinary headlights. When used with the “night shades” attached to Speed’s helmet, his vision is enhanced with infrared light. The original Japanese version strictly translates this as "illuminating eyes".
    • Button E was later modified to activate mini-wings that would slide out from under the car to assist Speed in long jumps, then later changed back to its original function.
  • Button F (Frogger mode): Used when the Mach 5 is submerged. An oxygen canister supplies the cockpit with breathable air. A periscope can then be raised to scan the surface of the water. Everything viewed is relayed to a video screen inside the Mach 5's cockpit. The 100-pound auxiliary supply of oxygen is enough to last for thirty minutes.
  • Button G (Gizmo Rocket): Releases a flying, gull-shaped "homing robot" from under the hood of the car.
  • Button H (Home): Mounted in the center console with the rest of the controls for the homing robot, this button sends the homing robot back to the Racer house.

Speed Racer (film)

In the 2008 film, the Mach 5's overall design has been changed slightly. Many of the car's distinct features have been kept with the exception of the single left side rearview mirror has been replaced with two American styled mirrors on either side. As well as different tail wings in the rear of the car. 

Just like in the original, the car was designed and built by Pops, but unlike the original, the Mach 5's special gadgets were NEVER a part of Pop's original design. The gadgets were later added as defensive modifications by the C.I.B. right before SPeed entered The Crucible race. Another key difference was that the car was built for Speed's older brother Rex Racer who later gave the car to Speed when he left home. Throughout the movie, the Mach 5 severed as Speed's secondary car while the Mach 6 served as his primary vehicle, only using it as a civilian car and as a rally car. But when the Mach 6 was destroyed and Speed needed a car to particiapte in the Crucible race, the mach 5 was upgraded with defensive features nearly identical to the original 1967 version. After the race, Speed used the Mach 5 to relieve some anger out on the Thunderhead Race track where he then proceeded to bash Racer X around with the car. The Mach 5 then virtually disappear's as Speed utilizes the Mach 6 for the remainder of the movie.

 

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