MINI X DEUS EX MACHINA – WHEN MOTORSPORT MEETS SURF CULTURE.
Few brands know how to mix fun, performance, and attitude like MINI John Cooper Works. And few names carry the cool factor of Deus Ex Machina, the global custom culture house that’s as comfortable shaping a surfboard as it is building a café racer. Now, the two icons have collided in a collaboration that celebrates craft, culture, and community with a pair of one-off show cars that embody very different lifestyles: one for the surf, one for the circuit. This isn’t about paint jobs and stickers; these cars are rolling art pieces that live at the intersection of speed and creativity. Both machines start life as MINI John Cooper Works models - one powered by a punchy 170 kW combustion engine, the other running a 190 kW electric drivetrain. Each carries a huge white “X” across the roof, the bold motif symbolising the co-creation between MINI and Deus. It’s not just about sharing logos - it’s about uniting two worlds: racing and riding waves.
Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI, sums it up: “Our models have always been about blending creative design with motorsport DNA. This collaboration with Deus takes that to a new level, setting trends while staying true to both brands’ passion for machines, innovation, and community.” And true to that philosophy, the two cars couldn’t be more different – yet somehow they feel like twins.
First up is The Skeg, a MINI JCW Electric stripped back and reshaped with the surf in mind. Dressed in a vivid yellow and silver finish, it feels as bright and energetic as a summer’s day on the coast. Wide fenders, a roof spoiler, and illuminated grille sharpen its stance, but it’s the details that stand out: semi-transparent fibreglass panels that cut weight and let the light play through the bodywork, creating a constantly shifting look depending on the environment. Out back, the Flex Tip Surf Spoiler steals the show. Modelled on the underside of a surfboard, it channels airflow like a wave, turning aerodynamic function into a design statement. Inside, it’s pure surf shack - wetsuit trays, neoprene bucket seats, fibreglass dashboard, and stripped-back analogue controls that echo the simplicity of life by the ocean. Minimal, tactile, authentic. It’s a mobile surf shop, built for those who live life saltwater-first.
On the other side of the spectrum is The Machina, a track-inspired MINI JCW that looks like it’s been plucked straight from the pit lane. Where The Skeg is sunshine and sea spray, The Machina is raw mechanics and motorsport bloodline. It’s finished in bold red, white, and black, with Deus lettering splashed across the rear. The widened fenders scream racing heritage, while four rally-style lights on the bonnet nod back to MINI’s Monte Carlo rally glory days. At the rear, an aggressive diffuser and centre-exit exhaust do more than look the part - they optimise airflow and amplify the engine’s growl. Capping it off, a Can-Am-style rear wing that’s pure retro racing theatre. Inside, the vibe is all function, no fluff: racing harnesses, aluminium floor plates, stripped panels, and a roll cage overhead. It’s built to feel raw and mechanical, like something hand-crafted in a Deus workshop - a car that trades polish for authenticity. Together, The Skeg and The Machina are a study in contrasts - coast vs. circuit, quiet rebellion vs. mechanical thunder. Yet both are bound by that big white “X,” symbolising the point where cultures collide. MINI brings the racing history, Deus brings the artistry, and together they’ve created a pair of cars that don’t just look good - they live and breathe their stories.
Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design, calls it: “Every detail has been crafted with artisanal precision. The result is two unique characters that clearly belong together, through design language, graphics, and a shared sense of craft.”
Neither car is destined for production - they’re one-off creations designed to spark imagination, remind fans of MINI’s deep motorsport heritage, and prove that electric or petrol, it’s still all about fun, community, and passion. The Skeg and The Machina are MINI’s way of saying that driving is more than transportation - it’s identity, attitude, and self-expression. Whether you live for the ocean or the racetrack, there’s a MINI JCW spirit that fits. Because sometimes, the coolest machines aren’t built just for speed – they’re built for stories.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows you a little bit of the history of the MINI brand that's been packed into this cool MINI and Deus X Machina colab - we like: MINI JCW x Deus Ex Machina: Speed 🤝 Creativity. | MINI
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