Mazda Once Built A Car That Fit Inside A Suitcase And It Actually Worked: 'But Where Do I Put My Luggage?'

Mazda Once Built A Car That Fit Inside A Suitcase And It Actually Worked: 'But Where Do I Put My Luggage?'

Have you ever imagined carrying a suitcase that could turn into a real, working car? It may sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but this wild invention actually existed, built not by a toy company, but by Japanese automaker Mazda.

Back in the early 90s, a group of engineers came up with a design that would leave people stunned for decades. What looked like an ordinary suitcase could unfold into a small, fully functioning car.

The Suitcase That Became A Car

In 1991, Mazda engineers built what they called the Mazda Suitcase Car, a three-wheeled mini vehicle hidden inside a hard-shell suitcase weighing just 32 kilograms. Once opened and assembled, it could reach speeds of about 30 km/h and was powered by a 33.6cc two-stroke engine. The tiny vehicle came with a seat, handlebars and throttle controls neatly tucked inside the case.

According to its creators, a team of seven engineers from Mazda's manual transmission testing and research unit, the suitcase car was originally designed to help passengers get around airports more easily. The idea was part of an in-house innovation challenge called Fantasyard, which encouraged employees to dream up the most creative mobility concept possible.

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A Product of Mazda's Bold Era

The Fantasyard competitions took place between 1989 and 1991, when Mazda was at its creative peak. The brand had just made history as the first Japanese automaker to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, launched the iconic MX-5 Miata and was one of the few companies successfully marketing rotary-engine cars.

During that time, Mazda became known for taking big, unconventional risks and the suitcase car perfectly reflected that spirit.

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As per Autotrader, the mini vehicle used a 34-cc pocket bike engine producing 1.7 horsepower. Its three-wheel design made it a bit unstable but fun to drive, though it could definitely be nerve-racking at top speed. The car could also transform from a suitcase into a drivable machine in under a minute and even featured headlights and a horn.

Mazda built only three prototypes, one each for Japan, Europe and North America. Sadly, only one survives today, reportedly in the United States.

Source: News18
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