Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Millenium Falcon engage afterburners when trying to divert the Star Destroyer Avenger's weapons energy to the bridge shield? I know that Han never specifically says afterburners, but it does have the general appearance during that chase sequence of ESB.
Correction: That would be engine flare from rapid acceleration, not an afterburner.
you can divert power to the engines without closing the s-foils (ala x-wing (game))
Fact. Though Star Wars isn't noted for its realism (sound in space, aerodynamic starfighters), we are dealing with logic here, ergo we can use the logic that there is (almost) no resistance in space.
another source of the xwings maneuverability is the gyro magnetic devices in the engines...
Fact. And there are variable exhaust nozzles on the 4L4's (the exhaust nacelles in your link). The gyro magnetic devices
help the variable exhaust nozzles in tight turns.
The X-wing uses "etheric rudders", not maneuvering jets.
(My physics subdaemon shudders in me whenever I tell things like that.)
Addendum: The "etheric rudders" are a combination of the variable exhaust nozzles and gyro magnetic devices.
speed increases because weapon energy is shunted towards the engines in that mode (enough power for at least one shot is kept [wraith squadron]), and maneuverability is hampered because the main engines have less space between them, and the (small invisible) maneuvering jets on the wings are not spread out [egvv and one of the x-wing books, i think]
Fact. X-Wing starfighters have an energy diversion system similar to FreeSpace's Energy Transfer System.
this is the part where i come in and do my grouchy old man thing (despite the fact that i am but 20) saying that new star wars is not canon, and that you shouldn't be using things from episodes 1-3 as reference as they were only created to sell small plastic toys.
rogue squadron game mechanics are a bit too arcadey for our purposes, as well. a higher speed but limited maneuverability mode for craft with s-foils would be canon though, and should be implemented.
Query: Why would a higher speed limit maneuverability? The A-Wing starfighter has much faster fusial engines, but due to well-placed maneuvering jets and large variable exhaust nozzles. The TIE fighter is also faster than an X-Wing and also has increased maneuverability (in space; once it hits atmosphere...well, read the later X-Wing series books).
Yeah, Rogue Squadron had something similar (IIRC), but it was more like a top gear than an after burner! It certainly didn't seem limited by fuel.
Correction: The "top gear" was more than likely a quick transfer of energy to the engines and then a quick transfer back.