Lexus offers sneak peek of Skyjet collaboration in Valerian epic

By CARSIFU | 23 June 2017


TOKYO: Lexus has unveiled a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of the Skyjet collaboration, in celebrating its creative partnership with Luc Besson's upcoming sci-fi epic, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

The behind-the-scenes sneak peek also explains the brand's design and technology philosophy that inspired elements of the final Skyjet.

It offers a unique insight and experience into how Lexus collaborated with Luc Besson and his design team to bring the single-seat pursuit craft of the future to life on the big screen in spectacular fashion.



The design and technology series, which is available on Lexus International's website, chronicles the Skyjet journey from original concept, from the visionary mind of Luc Besson, to its visualization by Concept Designer Ben Mauro, through to Lexus' collaboration, which matched Luc's ambition for a vehicle befitting of the Valerian world, set 700 years in the future.

To find out more about Lexus' role in bringing the final Skyjet to life, visit https://www.lexus-int.com/

Taking the experience to another level, a short 90s 'Making of the Skyjet' video launches today, as part of the content series, providing an exclusive look at the Skyjet behind the scenes on-set with director Luc Besson and lead actor Dane DeHaan, in his role as titular character Valerian.

Skyjet - Fuel Cell.
Skyjet - Fuel Cell.


The video also features expert commentary from Producer, Virginie Besson-Silla, Valerian Concept Designer, Ben Mauro, and Lexus Chief Engineer, Takeaki Kato.

Lexus Chief Engineer, Takeaki Kato, comments, "Technology will constantly advance and many things far in the distant future are impossible to be certain of now, however, at Lexus, we continuously challenge ourselves to imagine them."

He added, "The cars of the future might be flying in the air, but as a luxury brand we consider essential that they remain emotional."

When designing the interior of the concept model, the Valerian creative team were inspired by Lexus' future vision in AI and advanced HMI technologies.

Skyjet - Flying.
Skyjet - Flying.


These showcase the brand's ambition for the vehicles to become at one with the driver, enabling control of the vehicle with simple hand gestures, such as with the LF-FC concept's hologram technology, or even with the human mind.

The Skyjet's final design incorporates an adapted interpretation of Lexus' signature "spindle" grille, and a similar headlight design to that of the 2017 Lexus LC coupe, defined by an athletic and aerodynamic shape.

What's more, the narrative is also set to incorporate an imagined energy capsule of the future, inspired by Lexus' work on innovative hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Fans will get another exclusive glimpse of the Skyjet as it whizzes through the Valerian world in the new Lexus Skyjet ad which launches today, ahead of the hotly anticipated global launch of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets in theaters on 21st July.

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