MINI’s rally pedigree dates again to the Sixties, starting with victory on the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. Two years later, a 1-2-3 end etched the corporate’s identify into historical past—even when the automobiles have been disqualified for non-compliant lights. In 1967, the basic Cooper S triumphed once more, adopted a 12 months later by a third-place end. These early wins outlined MINI’s motorsport legacy, one the model continues to have a good time in the present day.
Quick-forward to 2025, and MINI is marking that historical past with a pair of radical one-offs created in collaboration with Deus Ex Machina. Each are based mostly on John Cooper Works fashions, one totally electrical (J01) and one gas-powered (F66). The EV is nicknamed “The Skeg”, whereas the combustion model goes by “The Machina.” They make their world premiere on the 2025 IAA Mobility Present in Munich.
The Skeg – Coast-Born and Electrical
The Skeg channels surf tradition as a lot because it does MINI’s design language. Completed in vivid yellow and silver, it wears extensive fenders, an illuminated grille, and a dramatic roof spoiler. Semi-transparent fiberglass physique panels shave 15 p.c off its weight whereas taking part in with gentle all through the day. On the rear, a “Flex Tip Surf Spoiler” mimics the concave underside of a surfboard, shaping airflow like a wave.
Inside, the theme is intentionally unpolished. The Skeg resembles a cell surf store, full with fiberglass trays for wetsuits and specifically formed shelving. Light-weight bucket seats are upholstered in neoprene—versatile, water-repellent, and tactile—whereas the dashboard borrows development methods from surfboards. The general impact is playful, practical minimalism with Deus branding and outsized “X” graphics tying it again to the collaboration .
The Machina – Observe-Bred and Combustion-Fed
If The Skeg is concerning the coast, The Machina is concerning the circuit. The ICE-powered JCW packs 231 horsepower and appears each bit the a part of a motorsport throwback. Its widened fenders, quad rally lights, and daring red-white-black livery reference MINI’s competitors roots. On the rear, a diffuser impressed by JCW race automobiles and a Can-Am-style roof wing push aerodynamics and nostalgia in equal measure.
The cabin doubles down on motorsport theatrics: an uncovered roll cage, outsized hydraulic handbrake lever, and visual seams emphasize uncooked mechanics over polish. The press launch calls it a celebration of “genuine performance,” with Deus logos, hand-finished particulars, and a “great thing about imperfection” strategy that contrasts MINI’s regular gloss .
A Shared Tradition of Craft
Each automobiles function a big white “X” throughout the roof, a unifying design motif meant to represent the partnership. Additionally they share artisanal detailing, daring graphic components, and a “uncooked, handcrafted” design strategy, echoing Deus Ex Machina’s surf and bike tradition. Energy specs differ—The Skeg produces as much as 258 hp, The Machina 231 hp—however each are show-only ideas, by no means supposed for collection manufacturing .
This isn’t Deus Ex Machina’s first MINI collaboration. Earlier this 12 months, the Australian model labored with BMW Group Designworks on the livery for Bulldog Racing’s Nürburgring entry, which completed second at school on the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
MINI at IAA Mobility 2025
Alongside these two one-offs, MINI can be displaying the Aceman SE and Countryman SE ALL4, increasing its all-electric vary. Guardian firm BMW is utilizing the present to unveil the production-ready Neue Klasse-based iX3, its most necessary EV debut because the unique i3. The IAA runs from September 9 to 14, with press day on the eighth.
