MINI’S BACK IN THE GREEN HELL: THE JOHN COOPER WORKS RETURNS TO NüRBURGRING WITH BLACK-AND-WHITE SWAGGER
MINI John Cooper Works is gearing up to take on the Nürburgring 24 Hours again - and this time, it’s dressed to kill. Following a class victory in 2023 with the near-production #317 MINI JCW Pro, MINI and the Bulldog Racing Team are rolling back into the world’s most demanding endurance race, the 53rd edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The legendary Nordschleife - aka the “Green Hell” - is a ruthless mix of rapid-fire straights, brutal elevation changes, and corners with names that keep engineers up at night.
MINI x DEUS: When Speed Meets Style
This year, the car’s as loud in design as it is on the track - even in monochrome. The MINI John Cooper Works will be wrapped in a striking black-and-white livery created in collaboration with the ever-edgy crew from Deus Ex Machina. It’s the first taste of a new MINI x DEUS creative partnership, and it's got serious attitude. Even the Bulldog Racing Team will suit up in DEUS-designed gear, blurring the line between pit lane and runway. Think racing pedigree, surf culture rebellion, and a whole lotta bespoke flair - all stitched into one hell of a visual package.
“MINI is about bold design and raw performance,” says Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI. “This DEUS collab takes both to the next level. It’s about individuality, craftsmanship, and a touch of irreverence. Perfect for fans who live for more than just lap times.”
The MINI x DEUS livery is more than just aesthetics. It’s storytelling. Dominated by an oversized “DEUS” graphic, the design transforms the car into a rolling sketchbook - complete with hand-drawn logos and stripped-back visuals. The minimalist palette lets the race essentials (numbers, logos, etc.) pop without feeling forced. It’s gritty, raw, and intentional - a track-ready art piece that’s as serious about speed as it is about style. The design was brought to life by MINI Design in partnership with BMW’s creative powerhouse, Designworks.
“Put DEUS, MINI, and Designworks in a room and sparks fly,” says Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design. “This livery is just the beginning. It’s a bold preview of what’s brewing between these brands.”
MINI may have once been motorsport’s plucky underdog, but those days are long gone. The 1964 Monte Carlo Rally win - and the repeat performances in '65 and '67 - didn’t just put MINI on the map, they redefined what a small car could do on the world stage. That original rally-bred DNA lives on in today’s JCW machines, with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, laser-sharp handling, and aero honed by generations of racing grit. Now, decades later, that same rebellious spirit is heading back into the fire - not with nostalgia, but with intent.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the chaps that live and breathe all things MINI as they take a closer look at the new car prepared to take on the famed Green Hell at the next instalment of the Nürburgring 24 Hours: BULLDOG RACING - MINI JCW PRO - DEUS EX MACHINA | The MINIAC
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