Lexus has shown that it can design more than just cars, with the unveiling of a new single-seat spacecraft. The SkyJet is designed specifically for pursuit and shares features with the upcoming Lexus LC coupe. Sadly, it will only be available in a fictional world and not for another 700 years.

The SkyJet will feature in the upcoming Luc Besson-directed sci-fi movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Lexus, says Besson, was chosen to design the craft being as it is a future-focused firm and one given to innovation and working with new technology.

The aim was to create to vehicle that looks as though it could be from the Valerian future, but that is grounded in reality. The result is a streamlined, tubular craft that tapers towards the rear jet, with two pairs of side-mounted wings, two additional pairs of wings mounted to its underside and a top-mounted rear fin. What appear to be large air inlets can be seen on the sides and the pilot is seated in a cockpit with near-panoramic views out of the craft.

Lexus Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato and his design team met with the movie's creative team to discuss the vehicle's styling and design cues. Among those that are rooted in today's reality are the headlights, which are inspired by those of the LC coupe, and an interpretation of Lexus's signature mesh grille. It's even badged as a Lexus.

The SkyJet features headlights inspired by those of the Lexus LC coupe and an interpretation of Lexus's signature mesh grille Lexus

"As fans of films and Luc's previous work, Lexus is privileged to help bring Luc's dream to life," says David Nordstrom, Global Branding Department General Manager at Lexus. "We enjoyed the challenge of bringing Lexus' design philosophy and technology innovations to this project."

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is based on the French graphic novel series Valérian and Laureline. The film follows a pair of special government operatives working to maintain order of the human territories in a sprawling universe.

The SkyJet isn't Lexus's first movie vehicle, with it having previously designed a car driven by Tom Cruise's character in Minority Report.

The video below is the trailer for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, with a fleeting glimpse of the SkyJet at 1:17.

Source: Lexus