Frankly, though, wouldn't heavy weights on tracks on the outside of a more conventional design have the same advantage?

Heavy weights on a track wouldn't have the same advantage. Heavy weights that pivot on a fixed point would. Furthermore, torque = force*radius. Therefore, the longer the weights are the better.

I suppose it depends on how heavy the weights are and how much acceleration you want. Prelimenary experimental data suggests that long pivoting limbs would produce more force. However, my data collection methods wren't very reliable so I could be wrong. I'll have to do some more research.

This is easily countered by mounting a flywheel system inside the tank. Speed up or slow down the flywheel = change the tanks rotation.

Some existing satellites use this system rather than attitude thrusters.

And anthroform drones don't carry passengers, unless you use house rules.

He certainly has the slickest moves.

you might be right at that hmmmm < scritch scratch chin >

Then there's Unicron. But that one sort of goes without saying.

Of course, for sheer style, I'd have to go with Beast Wars -era dragon Megatron vs a GD.

Rodimus couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag without Kup there to direct him.

Optimus, on the other hand, might be a challange to a GD. Megatron could kill a GD in one hit from his fusion cannon which has to have deadly navel base damage.

Unfortunatly, GDs could also kill Megatron and Optimus in one hit from a high force manabolt/ball. Transformers would have absurd body but only above average willpower. If you convert the box stats to SR stats then Optimus and Megs probably have around 9 or 10 Willpower. However, GDs can reasonably makes those TNs. So, it comes down to how can strike first.

Likewise, the cities would be just as vulnerable to mana attacks if not a Wreck City spell.

The Combiners would pose more of a threat since spell targeting would be difficult. However, a decent manaball would still wipe them all out.

Beast Wars established that Transformers have living souls. Likewise, the comic (G2 especially) established that they are living beings capable of procreation. With that comes a vulnerablity to mana based spells.

According to the G2 comic, asexually. At one time, Transformers could spawn others of their kind through a form of mitosis. However, that ability was lost over time.

Beast Wars implied that Silverbolt and Blackaracnia were humping like crazy at one point, although I don't know if they were infertile or if they were just using protection. Considering that Transformers had adapted to use partialy organic bodies with animal alternate forms they certainly had the equipment, if not the ability.

By canon, there are no characters or critters that precisely meet the requirements we're putting forward. A homuculus is still a magical creation first and a semi-truck second. What would an AI use?

An AI would use a drone with OR, if an AI could fit in one. It is generally thought that they can't.

On the other hand, AIs don't go to a metaplane when they die and can can't be summoned back from said metaplane using extraordinary means. Beast Wars established that Transformer "sparks" are disrupted to a metaplane when their bodies die and that they can be called back.

Integrating Transformer spiritualism with SR magic would suggest that Transformers are unique unbindable spirits with a special varrient of the Inhabiting power.

Or do they?

Seriously though, I feel like this is those debates that go 'how would you change so-and-so into SR rules? Well, he's super skilled but has no cyber, so he MUST be an adept!'

There is no SR analog for transformers, IMO. Hence, the specific rules would be up to the GM to decipher. OR would be acceptable, and maybe even preferable, depending upon your view.