“Suitcase Car”: Mazda’s Curious Innovation That Tried to Revolutionize Urban Transportation (YouTube / @HSGAutomotive)
Japan is known for its technological innovations and eccentric creations, and one example of this is the “Suitcase Car” from Mazda, developed in the 1990s.
Although labeled as a “car,” the vehicle is actually a motorcycle or, at the very least, a tricycle. The concept was created to address the issue of transportation in large cities, where parking is scarce. Similar to other mobility solutions like e-scooters, Mazda sought a way to make urban transportation easier.
The “Suitcase Car” was built inside a 30×22 cm Samsonite suitcase and was equipped with a 34cc two-stroke engine, generating only 1.5 horsepower and reaching speeds of up to 32 km/h. The model weighed 32 kg and could be rolled like a regular suitcase.
The idea was for the vehicle to serve as an option to help people travel from their cars to their destinations. However, due to the noise and its impractical nature, the concept did not gain popularity, and Mazda did not produce more units beyond the original.
In summary, Mazda’s “Suitcase Car” is an interesting idea but failed due to its limited usability and the inconvenience caused by its small engine. Despite this, it remains a curiosity in the automotive world, reflecting Japan’s creative spirit in the search for new mobility solutions.
Source: Ride Apart | Photo: YouTube @HSGAutomotive | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
