Lexus Adds Design Flair and Imaginative Technologies to Luc Besson's Upcoming Sci-fi Epic Valerian

Take a closer look behind the scenes of Lexus’ collaboration with Luc and the Valerian design team to create the SKYJET

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: July 2, 2017: To celebrate its creative partnership with Luc Besson’s upcoming sci-fi epic, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, luxury automotive brand Lexus has recently unveiled a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of the SKYJET collaboration, as well as the brand’s design and technology philosophy that inspired elements of the final SKYJET, in a way that has never been seen before. 

The ambition is to immerse automotive and film fans alike further into the development of the SKYJET and to offer 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 Besson’s ambition for a vehicle befitting of the Valerian world, set 700 years in the future. 

Taking the experience to another level, a short 90-second ‘Making of the SKYJET’ video launched recently 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. The video also features expert commentary from Producer, Virginie Besson-Silla, Valerian Concept Designer, Ben Mauro, and Lexus Chief Engineer, Takeaki Kato. 

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

“As a luxury lifestyle brand, Lexus is always looking to bring to life new innovations that provide our customers and audiences with amazing experiences that inspire and excite them,” said Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative of Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation. 

“Our collaboration on the SKYJET project is a reflection of our commitment to be at the center of innovations that shape our future, and affirms our passion to extend Lexus’ design philosophy, technology and innovations to projects beyond the realm of automobile manufacturing. We would like to thank our customers for placing their trust in us, which is what inspires us to think bigger and keep innovating for a better world,” added Yoshitsugu. 

When designing the interior of the concept model, the Valerian creative team was inspired by Lexus’ future vision in AI and advanced HMI technologies. 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 launched recently, ahead of the hotly anticipated global launch of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets in theaters on 21st July.