MINI JCW x Deus Ex Machina: Two One-off Racing Icons
MINI presents, with lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina, two exclusive one-off John Cooper Works cars that celebrate MINI’s racing heritage and a shared passion for motorsport and customisation. Each car focuses on distinct design, purposeful function and creative innovation to engage enthusiasts who live and breathe performance.
In Munich, the partnership between MINI John Cooper Works and Deus Ex Machina comes to life through two customised one-off cars that express a lifestyle where speed meets creativity and considered design. The collaboration respects craft, culture and the communities that drive them, and it puts people at the centre of the experience.
“MINI models have always been characterised by a blend of creative design and motorsport dynamics,’ explains Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI. “Thanks to our collaboration with Deus Ex Machina, we are taking this philosophy to a new level and setting exciting new trends for fans and motorsport enthusiasts. The partners are united by their “passion for machines, innovation and creativity” and an authentic relationship with their own community,” says Stefan Richmann.
Both concepts use a MINI John Cooper Works platform. One is the MINI JCW Electric, which features a power output of up to 190 kW (258 hp). The other is a combustion-powered MINI JCW with 170 kW (231 hp). Each vehicle’s roof features a large white ‘X’, a shared graphic that signals the co-creation of MINI JCW x DEUS across two iconic brands.
"In this extraordinary collaboration, we showcase two vehicles that remind us of motorsport history and the 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," says Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.
Visible seams, striking switches and traditional levers emphasise the mechanical character of the cockpits. Materials and colours create bold contrasts that reject high gloss in favour of authenticity. Designers describe a raw, handcrafted approach that celebrates the beauty of imperfection. On the exterior, expressive graphics with numbers, geometric elements and bright colours pay homage to MINI’s motorsport heritage.
The pair stands as kindred spirits with opposite energy. One draws on coastal surf culture, shaped by boards, sea spray and the stripped-back rhythm of beach life. The other channels the track, lean and fast, with a single-minded love of speed and precision.
The Skeg, an electric show car, delivers a clean, minimalist, and quiet rebellion that borrows materials, technologies, and philosophies from surfing, including fibreglass, acceleration, and minimalism. The bodywork makes a bold first impression in vivid yellow and silver, reflecting MINI’s progressive take on electric mobility. Wide arches, an illuminated front grille and a roof spoiler sharpen the silhouette, while semi-transparent fibreglass panels shed 15 per cent of weight and refine aerodynamic performance. At the rear, the Flex Tip Surf Spoiler responds to airflow like a surfboard reading a wave, its form inspired by a board’s concave underside to redirect movement, generate lift and turn design into function.
Tension straps across the roof reference the ritual of tying down a surfboard after a session, and the motif appears as a characterful accent on the dashboard and at the six o’clock spoke of the steering wheel. Custom fibreglass elements on the roof, front, rear and interior create shifting light effects that feel translucent and responsive to time of day and environment. The dashboard draws direct inspiration from surfboard construction to remain lightweight, resilient, and visually distinctive.
Inside, the analogue controls are stripped back, simple, and tactile, reflecting a surf culture that prioritises purpose over polish. The car evokes a mobile surf shop, with fibreglass trays for wetsuits that provide practical storage and bring surf culture into the cabin. Neoprene upholstery in lightweight racing bucket seats feels flexible, water-repellent and comfortable, reinforcing the connection to the sea. The fibreglass dashboard transfers surfboard know-how into the automotive realm. The oversized ‘X’ returns as a visual anchor, while Deus Collection badges and 3D-printed details in the console serve as subtle signifiers of a shared culture rooted in craft, connection, and the pursuit of the ride.
The Machina, a John Cooper Works with a compact punch of raw mechanics and motorsport bloodline, wears its racing inspiration openly. The exterior honours MINI’s motorsport heritage with red, white, and black paintwork, bold accents, and Deus’ lettering on the rear. Classic widened arches blend form and function, while four auxiliary headlights on the bonnet salute rally roots. Each custom-built light pod features discreet Deus branding, pairing performance with a distinctive visual signature. At the rear, a diffuser inspired by the MINI JCW race car, which has conquered the Nordschleife, optimises airflow and stability. A centrally integrated exhaust serves as both a functional and aesthetic focal point, amplifying the engine’s sound and presence. A bespoke grille and perforated headlamp surrounds enhance cooling, while the iconic MINI John Cooper Works light signature, featuring air intakes, anchors the car in a high-performance lineage. A Can-Am-style rear spoiler completes the look as a piece of motorsport nostalgia that nods to an era of fearless innovation.
Inside the JCW show car, the red, white and black palette remains pared back and purposeful. Five-point racing harnesses secure the driver and become part of the experience. Raw aluminium floor plates deliver grip and echo the utilitarian aesthetic of Deus custom motorcycle workshops from Sydney to Venice Beach to Canggu, grounding the car in a shared language of performance and craft. Every surface saves weight, from stripped-back door panels marked with bold white ‘X’ motifs to a waxed fabric dash that is lightweight, durable and finished with a lived-in patina that speaks to hands-on workmanship. The exposed roll cage overhead adds structure and statement in equal measure, reinforcing the car’s unfiltered racing DNA. The controls communicate functionality and directness. Toggle switches provide classic, menu-free operation with direct mechanical connections. Each button has a clear purpose. The hydraulic handbrake, with its large lever, forms a direct link between the driver and the vehicle, a commitment to precision and control. The JCW show car reads as a driving manifesto and a tribute to MINI brand motorsport DNA.
Alongside the MINI creative team, Deus Creative Director Carby Tuckwell and his wider cohort oversaw the striking exterior graphics of the two show cars, led by Matt Willey. They complemented the work to deliver remarkable solutions across both vehicles. “Deus has had a longstanding creative partnership with Matt - one powered by a true respect for the power of design and art. Having him involved in this project, for us, was a no-brainer - he worked closely with me and the Deus team on our first creative project that was splashed across a MINI car in 2024.” - Carby Tuckwell, Deus Co-Founder & Creative Director.
Deus Carby Tuckwell and Matt Willey have collaborated since 2015. United by a fascination with classic motorsport liveries, they created a historic Mini Cooper S racing car in 2022 with an exceptional 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. Matt Willey, an English native based in Brooklyn, later became a partner at the renowned design firm Pentagram after serving as art director of The New York Times Magazine for five years.
A capsule MINI x Deus Ex Machina apparel collection will launch on 8 September 2025 at the IAA in Munich, followed by a global release on Deus Ex Machina's e-commerce and retail platforms. Designed exclusively for collaboration, the range draws on shared brand DNA, including precision engineering, timeless styling, and obsessive attention to detail. High-grade materials and thoughtful tailoring set the benchmark, with every garment reflecting Deus’ commitment to craftsmanship and an ability to bridge lifestyle and legacy. With a keen sense of storytelling through design, Deus brings authenticity and cultural relevance to the capsule, uniting motorsport and modern apparel in a way that feels current and enduring.
The highlight of the MINI JCW x DEUS communication campaign is the world premiere at IAA Mobility 2025, featuring the exclusive MINI JCW x DEUS Night on 6 September at the MINI Pavilion. The collaboration remains on display at the MINI Pavilion until 14 September. The exclusive MINI x DEUS lifestyle collection will be available for sale on-site and online across all DEUS channels, as well as in their retail stores. ‘You can be first after me’ is the motto that unites the worlds of MINI and Deus Ex Machina. Their shared story has begun and promises further exciting chapters in the name of automotive passion.
