Hot Wheels, theiconic toy car brandstarted by Mattel 54 years ago this month, is revving up to bring you a ten-episode event entitledHot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.The show plans to incorporate the rich history of the brand by showcasing many classic designs from over the years. Along withhost Rutledge Wood(American Barbecue Showdown, The Floor is Lava), lifelong Hot Wheels fans get to see their favorite designs up close and personal. Vintage designs will be on display as well as some more modern additions to the Hot Wheels brand.
The challenge aspect ofHot Wheels: Ultimate Challengeis twofold. First, each episode will highlight two lifelong Hot Wheels fanatics and pit them head to head in what the show refers to as the “chrome zone.” The contestants will work with professional mechanics and rub elbows with celebrity judges, all while trying to transform ordinary vehicles into life-sized Hot Wheels creations.
The revamped life-sized Hot Wheels cars created by the contestants will then be judged by a panel of judges that includes car experts and celebrity guests. The winner of each individual episode will win $25,000 and a chance to compete in the finale.
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge: The Contest
Each week two lifelong Hot Wheels fans will compete head to head to come out on top. With the help of automotive experts, known as the “car pool,” the Hot Wheels superfans will work in high-tech garages to create what they feel to be a vehicle worthy of the Hot Wheels title. To keep things fair and shake the proceedings up, the show will feature The Inspirationator 5000, a souped-up vending machine that dispenses design obstacles instead of snacks.
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The difficulty of the contest lies in the contestants' ability to tap into the nostalgia of Hot Wheels while making a functional design that will impress fans and the automotive experts on the panel. Along with host Rutledge Wood, two mainstays of the panel are Hertrech Eugene Jr.,affectionately known as ‘Hert’ by his followers. Hertech took a roundabout way into becoming a car fanatic and expert.
He was first a videogame fan, which led to his passion for all things automotive. Joining Rutledge and Hertwill be Dalal Elsheikh, designer for the Ford Motor Company and Hot Wheels Brand Ambassador.
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge: Celebrity Panelists
Each episode will be comprised of the two Hot Wheels superfans, their support from the ‘car pool’ with input from the hosts, and a long list of celebrity judges. Celebrity guest judgesinclude Anthony Anderson(Black-ish, The Shield), a longtime Hot Wheels fan and car lover.
WWE superstar Ettore The Big Ewen, powerlifter, wrestling champ, and muscle car fan Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, America’s Got Talent), who seems to be everywhere lately, and that’s a good thing! Also joining the panel is Sung Kang (Fast & Furiousfranchise, Obi Wan-Kenobi),Joel McHale (Talk Soup, Community), and arguably the most famous gearhead in the country, Jay Leno (The Tonight Show, Jay Leno’s Garage).
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Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challengeis produced byEndemol Shine North America, Workerbee, and Mattel Television. Mattel has some serious skin in the game, as their Hot Wheels property has not only been a mainstay in toys, games, and merchandise for the past fifty years, but 2022 was reportedly one of the most profitable for the Hot Wheels business line.
The show looks to have a lot of creative personnel behind and in front of the camera that knows their stuff about cars and have a true appreciation for the Hot Wheels brand. We can be sure nothing will be left on the table after the show’s 10-episode arc.
Release Date
Hot Wheels: Ultimate ChallengePremiers Tuesday, May 30 at 10/9c on NBC and is available for streaming the next day on Peacock.
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge: Everything Else We Know
What will set this show apart is the passion and raw excitement of the contestants. Each player has an emotional story about why they are there and competing and what the brand means to them. This will make forgripping television for reality fansbut also pure fun for car aficionados and fans of the Hot Wheels brand.
With a trio of car-savvy judges in Wood, Hert, and Elsheikh, some star-making turns by the folks running the “car pool,” and a very impressive lineup of celebrity judges from the sports, film, and television world,Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challengeis sure to have something in store for everyone who tunes in.
