Friday, December 13, 2019

SCALE MODEL PORSCHE STARFIGHTER: ONE-OFF DESIGN CELEBRATES THE LATEST STAR WARS MOVIE

Porsche and Lucasfilm have created a 60-inch long concept spacecraft, the Tri-Wing S-91x Pegasus Starfighter, in time for the launch of the new movie Star Wars Episode VIII: The Rise of Skywalker. The Tri-Wing will be unveiled at the film’s world premiere on 16 December 2019, in Los Angeles, California.


According to Michael Maur, Porsche Vice President for Styling, the Tri-Wing concept “...blends the design elements of the fictional Star Wars universe with those of current, production model Porsches.” Maurs adds that the cabin shape tapers towards the rear, and (in a splendid piece of designer-speak) it has “...a highly distinctive topography from the cockpit fly-line to the turbines” which means that his design team have established “...visual parallels with the iconic design of the 911 and the Taycan.”

So now you know how to speak designer-Klingon, oops, Star Warsian. 


Points to mention are that the high-mounted intakes of the Tri-Wing echo the inlets on the current Porsche Boxster. Rear louvres and an integrated high-level brake light found inspiration from the Porsche 911, while the rear aerofoil has a full-width light-bar. We can't spot that item from the supplied pix (thanks to Porsche/Lucas Film) but the blue glow from the twin thrusters looks very handsome.

The Tri-Wing’s cockpit uses adapted dash displays, and the low seats apparently have a flavour of the Porsche 918 Spyder.

The scale Tri-Wing Starfighter will be displayed next to a Porsche Taycan at the LA premiere of Star Wars Episode VIII, and according to marketing head Kjell Gruner, the designers have “...brought the differing worlds of Porsche and Star Wars together to make a very special gift for the fans of the two brands.”

Yes, but can the Tri-Wing S-91x Pegasus Starfighter make light speed? Hum hum, we thought not!





Here's the final trailer (below) for Episode VIII – pass the popcorn please, and salivate on which spacecraft Revell and others will pick for upcoming 2020 kits.