Mazda's 1990s suitcase car concept: a portable three-wheeled vehicle for airport travel
During the early 1990s, engineers at Mazda developed a compact three-wheeled vehicle that could fit into a Samsonite suitcase measuring 57 cm by 75 cm. This innovative design originated from the Fantasyard contest held between 1989 and 1991, where seven engineers collaborated to create the vehicle, powered by a 33.6 cc two-stroke engine that generated 1.7 PS. The assembly process took approximately one minute, and the vehicle weighed 32 kilos, achieving a maximum speed of 30 km/h (19 mph). Mazda produced two iterations—one for the US market, which still exists, and a European prototype showcased at the 1991 Frankfurt International Motor Show, which was destroyed shortly thereafter. Although it was never mass-produced, the suitcase car exemplified Mazda's commitment to compact mobility and shared characteristics with previous models.
Key facts
- Mazda built a portable three-wheeled vehicle in the early 1990s that fits inside a hard-shell Samsonite suitcase
- The concept originated from Mazda's internal Fantasyard contest between 1989 and 1991
- Seven engineers from Mazda's manual transmission testing unit constructed the vehicle using a pocket bike engine
- The vehicle weighs 32 kilos and has a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph)
- Two versions were built: a US model that still exists and a European prototype destroyed after display
- The European model was shown at the 1991 Frankfurt International Motor Show
- Assembly takes about a minute by positioning the front wheel through a hatch and attaching rear wheels
- The concept was never produced but showcased Mazda's focus on small, practical mobility
Entities
Institutions
- Mazda
- Mazda UK
- designboom
- Frankfurt International Motor Show
Locations
- Japan
- United States
- Europe
- Frankfurt
- Le Mans