The 1980s and 1990s were times of ostentation in Europe and of experimentation and ingenuity in the Japanese automotive industry. Brands like Honda and Mazda stood out for propose innovative solutions for urban mobility of its mega cities full of cars and affected by intense traffic: from mini-motorcycles to folding scooters, the predecessors of our current personal mobility vehicles or VMPs.
Among these unique inventions stands out the Mazda prototype known as “Suitcase Car” or “Suitcase Car” which was just that: a kind of folding kart integrated inside a suitcase, which looked like something out of a video game. This curious vehicle, which could fit in any car, It had a two-stroke engine and reached speeds of up to 32 km/h.
This was the Mazda “Suitcase Car” of 1991: half motorcycle, half kart, inside a suitcase
In 1991 Mazda presented its unique “Suitcase Car” to the world. This prototype was created as part of an internal contest of the Japanese brand called ‘Fantasyard’whose goal was to encourage creativity among its engineers. Led by Yoshimi Kanemoto, the team transformed a large Samsonite suitcase (about 75 x 56 cm) into a functional vehicle.
To do this, they incorporated a 34 cc two-stroke engine with a power of 1.5 HPcapable of reaching a maximum speed of 32 km/h. The “Suitcase Car”, which could be defined as a kind of mini motorcycle and mini ‘folding kart’, had three wheels and an acceleration system similar to that of a motorcycle, with a compact handlebar and a fist accelerator.
Despite its small size, the “Suitcase Car” included surprising details such as headlights, brake lights, turn signals and even carpet on the floor. Additionally, its modular design allowed the rear wheels and seat to be assembled and removed without the need for tools, making it relatively easy to use.
Source: Mazda
With a manufacturing cost of around $5,000 at the time, the “Suitcase Car” was presented as a compact and creative solution for urban mobility at the time. Although it was never marketed, it made a notable appearance in Times Square in 1992, driven by a Mazda executive to promote the New York Auto Show.
It also had great media success, as the beloved Suitcase Car appeared on host Ophra Oprah Gail Winfrey’s program: ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’, the most watched of its kind in the history of North American television.
The ancestors of our electric scooters: from the Suitcase to the Honda Motocompo
Source: Mazda
The “Suitcase Car” concept has clear parallels with other urban mobility inventions of the 1980s and 1990s. One of the most notable is the 1981 Honda Motocompo. This small folding scooter was designed to fit in the trunk of city cars like the Honda City. Like the Mazda prototype, the Motocompo sought to complement daily commutes by offering a compact solution for ‘the last leg’ of the trip.
In 2023, Honda revived this idea with the Motocompactoan ultra-compact electric scooter that folds into the shape of a suitcase. This model took up the philosophy of the Motocompo and the “Suitcase Car”, adapting it to the current needs of sustainable mobility. Other manufacturers such as BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have also explored similar concepts with portable electric scooters that can be carried in the trunk of a car.
Source: Mazda
A curious and somewhat more eccentric example is Jeremy Clarkson’s motorized suitcase, created for an episode of “The Grand Tour.” With nine wheels and a design inspired by the “Suitcase Car”, this invention was part of a fun competition against Richard Hammond’s portable skateboard. Although more of a joke than a serious invention, it showed that the idea of a suitcase vehicle is still captivating and very much alive.
The main advantage of the “Suitcase Car” was its portability and its ability to offer an integrated mobility solution for short journeys. However, its weight of 31.75 kilos and its limited power They made it impractical for everyday use. Despite this, it represents a brilliant example of how creativity can challenge established norms and propose original solutions to everyday problems.
And how cool would it be to run around the airport with this type of device? If you have been bitten by the bug, the closest thing today may be “smart suitcases” like those from Airwheelwhich are functional suitcases to store things. Of course, in addition to the fact that they also weigh a lot and only reach about 14 km/h, the most basic ones cost about 800 euros.
Source: www.motorpasion.com
