Kelvin, as a racing driver, you’re on the road a lot. What makes the perfect suitcase for you?
It needs to be lightweight, durable and easy to move through airports. Good organisation inside is also important because I’m constantly packing racing kit, training clothes and everyday items. Most importantly, it has to survive a full season of flights without letting me down.
How was your first ride in the BMW M3 Touring 24H?
It was a lot of fun and definitely a unique experience. From behind the wheel, it has plenty of familiar M4 GT3 EVO DNA, so it immediately feels like a proper racing car. Then you see the Touring shape in the mirrors and remember you’re driving something completely different – that contrast makes it very special.
What do you think of a racing car based on an everyday estate?
I think it’s a brilliant idea. The M3 Touring is already a very emotional road car, and combining its practicality and iconic shape with real GT racing performance is just cool. It proves that a racing car doesn’t always have to follow the traditional formula – and the reaction from the fans shows how much people love it.
What five things would you pack for the Nürburgring 24 Hours as a spectator?
A waterproof jacket, warm layers, very comfortable shoes, ear protection and a power bank. At the Nürburgring, you can experience four seasons in one day, you walk a lot, and you definitely don’t want your phone to run out during the race.
Our suitcases need to be practical, but they should also be fun, make a statement and look a bit faster than anything else on the baggage carousel.
FUNCTION AND CHARACTER.
We met Bernd Georgi, co-founder and co-owner of Floyd GmbH, for an interview. For him, one thing is clear: performance and everyday practicality don’t have to be mutually exclusive. That’s why the BMW M3 Touring 24H is also the perfect inspiration for the design of the limited-edition Floyd Cabin Suitcases.
Bernd, having already demonstrated the sturdiness of your suitcases with a sensational stunt involving the BMW M HYBRID V8 racing car, you’ve now turned your attention to a racing car that’s a bit more travel-friendly. How did that come about?
Right from our first project with BMW M, we realised there was more to it than just a shared logo: it’s simply great fun to work on projects that bring our brand worlds together. The result: products that are designed to turn heads. The BMW M3 Touring 24H takes this blend to the extreme – it’s motorsport, but with a touch of humour and a dose of everyday practicality. For Floyd, this is the perfect stage, because our suitcases essentially do the same thing. They’re the opposite of mainstream, they’re very cool, yet they impress with the highest quality and performance.
Why does the concept of the BMW M3 Touring 24H – an estate car turned racing car – fit so well with your wheeled suitcases?
An estate car as a racing car is, at first glance, a wonderfully unreasonable idea – and that’s exactly why it’s so good. It stands for space, journey and everyday life, while also delivering maximum performance. Our suitcases stem from the same philosophy: they need to be practical, but they should also be fun, make a statement and look a bit faster than anything else on the baggage carousel.
An estate car as a racing car is, at first glance, a wonderfully unreasonable idea – and that’s exactly why it’s so good.
What exactly sets the limited edition of the exclusively designed Floyd Cabin suitcase apart?
The limited edition translates the design of the BMW M3 Touring 24H onto a Floyd Cabin suitcase – onto an item you actually take with you on your journey. What I particularly enjoy is that this means the suitcase doesn’t come across as a classic fan product, but rather as a little piece of motorsport culture: eye-catching, high-quality and with details you only spot at second glance.
A ‘tyre’ change on the suitcase or on the M3 Touring 24H: which is quicker?
Hopefully on the M3 Touring 24H! At Floyd, anyone with two hands and a bit of a penchant for colour is part of the pit crew. The tyre change on a Floyd is, of course, less spectacular, but much more practical for everyday use: you can give the case a completely new look very quickly with a new set of wheels. And let’s be honest: at the airport, that’s almost as important as choosing the right tyres on the Nordschleife.
ABOUT FLOYD.
ABOUT FLOYD.
Eye-catching colours, a robust frame and special skateboard wheels in more than a dozen colours – a Floyd Travel Case is anything but ordinary and a real statement piece. The original Floyd skateboard wheels aren’t just eye-catchers; they also ensure the cases glide along quietly, smoothly and quickly. For even more speed and a better rolling experience, Floyd offers special Super Speed Wheels as an upgrade.
