MINI Cooper JCW Reimagined: Deus Ex Machina Debuts The Skeg & The Machina

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Today MINI isn’t just showing two concept cars — it’s debuting a new chapter in its design story. Working with Deus Ex Machina, MINI has taken the refreshed design language it introduced in 2023 and pushed it into more expressive, retro-inspired territory. The result is a pair of one-off John Cooper Works builds that pull in opposite directions: one electric and shaped by surf culture, the other petrol-powered and steeped in motorsport heritage. Together they mark a bold moment for MINI, exploring just how far the JCW identity can be stretched while staying true to its roots.

The Shared Base

Both start life as a MINI John Cooper Works — one with up to 258 hp from an electric drivetrain, the other with 231 hp from the familiar 2.0-litre turbo. Each carries a bold white “X” across the roof, a visual link between two otherwise very different machines. The design approach is deliberately mechanical and unpolished, with exposed seams, physical switches, and materials chosen for utility rather than gloss.

The Skeg – Electric, Surf-Inspired

On the surface The Skeg feels like a wild tangent from JCW tradition. But underneath, it’s carrying on a familiar thread. Based on the J01 electric MINI Cooper JCW, it delivers 258 hp in a package that’s lighter and more focused than stock thanks to semi-transparent fiberglass panels that cut around 15 percent of body weight. MINI has been chasing weight savings since the first GP, and The Skeg taps into that ethos — only this time through materials borrowed from surfboard construction rather than carbon fiber or aluminum.

The fiberglass spoiler isn’t just a design flourish either. Like so many JCW aero tweaks over the years — from Monte Carlo rally cars to modern GP wings — it’s shaped to move air and create stability. Inside, the stripped-back analog controls recall the earliest JCW builds when simplicity was part of the appeal. The surf-inspired details make it unique, but at its core The Skeg feels like a reinterpretation of what JCW has always stood for: taking something compact and making it sharper by subtraction.

The Machina – Motorsport-Focused

The Machina goes in the opposite direction. Where The Skeg is clean and minimal, The Machina doubles down on motorsport cues that have defined JCW since day one. The widened fenders and rally-style lamps are a direct link back to the Minis that stunned the racing world in Monte Carlo. The Can-Am–inspired rear wing and Nordschleife-style diffuser, meanwhile, nod to MINI’s more recent track programs where aero wasn’t decoration but a necessity.

Inside it’s even more bare-bones than the GP3. A roll cage, raw aluminium floor plates, and a hydraulic handbrake are all function-first choices. Together they echo the stripped interiors of the first GP and even the utilitarian vibe of MINI’s works rally cars. Nothing’s polished, but that’s the point. The Machina is an unvarnished reminder that JCW’s best moments have always been about giving the driver direct connection to the car and the road, not dressing it up.

The Visual Language Born from Love

Deus’ Carby Tuckwell and Matt Willey have been working together since 2015. United by their fascination with classic motorsport liveries, they created a historic Mini Cooper S racing car in 2022 with a special paint finish designed by Willey. The design references the glorious and victorious history of the classic Mini at the Monte Carlo Rally, including the number 37, with which Paddy Hopkirk started in 1964 and achieved the British small car’s first overall victory in the most famous of all rallies.

The visual language come from Deus’ Carby Tuckwell and long-time collaborator Matt Willey. Willey isn’t just a designer of posters and paint schemes. He was the art director of the New York Times Magazine and is now a partner at Pentagram, the world’s most influential independent design firm. His background in editorial and graphic design shows up in the way these cars use typography and color, bold, functional, and deeply tied to storytelling.

That connection matters. It roots these concepts not in fashion or marketing, but in serious design culture. Just as JCW has always blurred the line between racing and the street, Willey’s work here blurs the line between pure design and automotive expression.

The Part You Can Buy

The partnership also includes a MINI x Deus Ex Machina apparel collection debuting September 8 at IAA Munich before going global through Deus’ online and retail channels. Designed specifically for this collaboration, the line pulls from the shared DNA of both brands — precision engineering, clean design, and an obsession with detail. The pieces use high-quality materials and tailored cuts, with a focus on craftsmanship over trend. It’s a collection that bridges motorsport heritage and modern style in a way that feels genuine and built to last.

When and Where

Both cars will debut at IAA Mobility 2025 during a dedicated MINI JCW x Deus event on September 6 at the MINI Pavilion in Munich, and will remain on display until September 14.

MINI Cooper JCW X Deus Ex Machina Gallery

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