Starting in June, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, the latest instalment of the Transformers movie franchise will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformers – the Maximals – to join them as allies in the existing battle for Earth.

The Autobot “Mirage” takes the legendary Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 (964) as its
car–form, joining the forces of the Transformers for the battle ahead. “Mirage” fights for the forces of good alongside Optimus Prime. 

The 911 Carrera RS 3.8 becomes a film hero, however, Porsche only ever built 55 units of the Carrera RS 3.8, making it an exceptionally rare historic car. To avoid the risk of damage, no original model was used in filming.

Instead, five picture cars were built that look exactly like the 964 on the outside, but which are not actually original Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 models. Yet, to create an authentic engine sound for Mirage, a real 911 RS 3.8 was used so the film could be as accurate as possible. 

Each of the picture cars fulfils a particular function. One car, for example, was modified to go backward at higher speeds; another was specifically prepared for stunt sequences, yet another one was controlled outside the driver’s cab for scenes that focus on the artist inside.