Mini and Deus Ex Machina Cook Up Two Wild JCW Concepts

Mini has always leaned into quirkiness, and its latest pair of concepts crank that personality up to eleven. Teaming up with lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina, the British automaker unveiled two reimagined versions of the John Cooper Works hatchback ahead of the IAA show in Munich.

The duo, nicknamed The Skeg and The Machina, highlight two very different sides of Mini’s performance hatch: laid-back surf vibes and no-nonsense motorsport grit.

The Skeg – An Electric Beach Cruiser

Based on the battery-powered JCW, The Skeg pays tribute to surf culture. Its body is clad in semi-transparent fiberglass panels — the same material you’ll find in most modern surfboards — trimming weight by 15 percent. Wide bolt-on arches, a massive roof wing said to “ride the airflow like a surfboard on a wave,” and a silver-yellow livery give it instant concept-car drama.

Practical surf touches carry over inside. Neoprene bucket seats shrug off damp wetsuits, cloth pull-straps replace door handles, and custom fiberglass trays store beach gear. Even the yellow tension straps crossing the roof nod to the way surfers lash boards to their cars. With 255 hp from its front-mounted motor, The Skeg isn’t just for posing in the parking lot — it’s a genuine electric hot hatch with a playful twist.

The Machina – Built for Track Mischief

Where The Skeg is chilled-out, The Machina is anything but. This one sticks with Mini’s familiar 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and layers on an aggressive motorsport makeover. A slammed stance, flared arches, and rally-style auxiliary lights perched above the grille set the tone. Out back, a chunky diffuser and a Can-Am-inspired roof spoiler complete the look.

The interior doubles down on the race theme. Out go the comforts, in come raw aluminum floors, bucket seats with five-point harnesses, an exposed roll cage, and even a hydraulic handbrake lever for rally-style slides. It’s all business, with just enough mischief baked in to remind you it’s still a Mini.

Why They Matter

Neither concept is destined for showrooms, but that’s not the point. With The Skeg and The Machina, Mini is flexing its creative muscles, showing it can inject humor, heritage, and wild ideas into a platform that’s already an icon. Whether you’re a surfer or a track-day junkie, these two one-offs prove Mini still knows how to have fun.