Mini has a long history of coming up with creative concept vehicles and it isn’t letting us down as it partners with lifestyle brand Deus ex Machina to roll out a pair of one-off John Cooper Works prototypes. Headlight.News checks them out.
Mini has teamed up with Australian lifestyle company Deus ex Machina to come up with a pair of edgy concept vehicles set to make their debut at IAA Mobility 2025, better known as the Munich Motor Show.
The two are “kindred in spirit,” and highlight the British brand’s history of customization, but takes things in very different directions. The Machina is a track-ready concept that is “loud, low and combustion-fed,” Mini suggested. The Skeg, on the other hand, “is a clean, minimal and quiet rebellion,” here outfitted for those whose adventures are found along coastal waters.
“In this extraordinary collaboration, we showcase two vehicles that remind us of motorsport history and successes of MINI. Every single detail has been crafted with artisanal precision and expertise. This has resulted in unique characters that are clearly perceived as belonging together through their distinctive design language and use of graphics,” said Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.
Mini Machina
Mini Machina’s track-inspired cabin.
The first of the two Deus ex Machina concepts is the Mini Machina which, the automaker suggests, was “forged on the track: lean, fast, and fueled by a love of speed and precision.”
Machina pays homage to Mini’a racing history, starting with its red, white and black paint scheme, highlighted by the “Deus” lettering on its nose. It boasts track-style widened fenders and four additional rally-style headlights. Add a Can-Am style spoiler and bolder air intakes and, around back, a diffuser inspired by the Mini JCW racer that earned its stripes on the Nurburgring’s Nordschliefe.
The pared-back cabin echoes the paint scheme, while adding more track-ready details, including aluminum floor plates, toggle switches and a classic hydraulic handbrake lever. The driver is protected by an exposed roll cage and a 5-point racing harness. Weight-saving moves, meanwhile, are apparent in the “stripped-back” door panels and fabric-covered instrument panel.
Mini Skeg
The Mini Skeg.
The second concept “draw(s) on materials, technologies and philosophies from the world of surfing: Fiberglass, acceleration and minimalism,” Mini explains. As that might suggest, it’s electric-powered and designed for more environmentally minded motorists.
Finished in vivid yellow and silver, the Mini Skeg boasts wide fenders, an illuminated front grille and an aerodynamic roof spoiler. The emphasis is on efficiency, with semi-transparent fiberglass panels helping reduce the overall weight of the show car by 15%.
A second, Flex Tip Spoiler at the rear is designed to manage airflow much the way a surfboard rides th waves, Mini added, “redirecting movement, generating lift, and turning design into function.” Straps on the roof make it easy to carry a surfboard.
Like Machina, the Mini Skeg takes a bit of a retro approach to the cabin, with analogue controls. The automaker suggests the interior design is meant to “resemble a mobile surf shop,” and features lightweight racing bucket seats finished in water-repellent neoprene upholstery.
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Passion for machines
The Mini Skeg Concept’s interior.
“MINI models have always been characterized by a blend of creative design and motorsport dynamics,’ said brand boss Stefan Richmann, adding, that the partners are united by their “passion for machines, innovation and creativity”.”
While there are no plans to put the Mini Deux ex Machina concepts into production, they do offer a sense of the brand’s focus on customization, officials added. The pair just might give some Mini fans ideas for how to outfit their own vehicles.
The two show cars will make their formal debut on September 6 at the Mini JCW x DEUS Night. They’ll then be available at the Mini stand during IAA Mobility 2025 which runs through the 14th.
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