cars in the show and the wheel rims are black while in the original show they were a silver white color. Minor changes have occurred in the Mach Five in this series. Although the function for the Homing Robot is present, the overall design of the actual robot has changed. In the original anime, the robot resembles a sleek, futuristic robot dove, while in this series, the robot resembles more of a metal peacock. The Deflector was used as the roof of the Mach Five. Also revealed in this show is an ejector's seat underneath the driver's seat in case of emergencies. A parachute was made, but was forgotten to be installed at the time. Its return is brief, as one of the antagonists destroys it successfully. However, plans for a new car are discovered and soon the protagonists build the Mach 6. The Mach 6's engine is not designed to run on gas, which is a crucial story point, even though gas is still used for it through most of the series. It has all the features of the Mach Five, but redesigned or changed in some form or another. For example, the rotary saws are kept, but they're turned into laser saws, and the blades can pivot so things that are over head can be cut. The new car features a transparent, holographic screen over the dashboard that the driver can use to interact live with his crew, and with other racers. Functions are not activated by a steering wheel hub lettered A-G, but instead, by switches mounted around the steering wheel. The Mach 6 succeeded the Mach 5 as the main vehicle for the rest of the series. More of the original gadgets were gradually revealed (such as the sludge slick) and used in future episodes. Eventually, the Mach 5 returned as Speed Racer Sr.'s main car in the season 2 premiere. Mach Five in popular culture NASCAR driver Bobby LaBonte was seen driving a Mach 5 themed Dodge Avenger at Richmond International Raceway in the fall of 2008. LaBonte, who was driving Richard Petty's iconic number 43 at the time, finished 21st. The Presidents of the United States of America released a car-themed song named "Mach 5" in 1996. Road & Track magazine released an article about a "real" Mach 5 prototype car on 31 March 2008 (the day before April 1st), about a "genuine running