New 'Transformers 3' Characters Discovered

When we posted about “Transformers 3” filming in Chicago earlier today, we didn’t realize how many Cars.com employees were hanging out at the set/outside our offices over the weekend. Internet support specialist Michael Howe and business analyst Eric Prahl were on hand for the whole thing and posted a slew of photos on their Facebook pages.

How did they get so close to all the Autobots and Decepticons? “Ironhide and the two small cars weren’t being filmed; they just had them sitting out,” Howe said. They got right up close to the filming, too.

What we’ve learned is not only are Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide and Ratchet back, so are the twins, Skids and Mudflap, with different paint jobs. There are also two new European luxury-car-based Autobots.

We’re not sure what their names will be, but there was a gorgeous red Ferrari 458 Italia and a not-so-shabby blue Mercedes-Benz E-Class amongst the caravan of Autobots in downtown Chicago.

What about the Decepticons? They’re bringing out three NASCAR racecars — with what looks like official numbers and paint jobs — outfitted with mountains of guns on the hoods, fenders … basically everywhere. We’ve got photos of them after the jump.

Transformers 3 Cars