MINI JCW X DEUS EX MACHINA: TWO WORLDS. TWO CARS. SINGULAR ENTHUSIASM.

MINI presents, in collaboration with lifestyle brand, Deus ex Machina, two exclusive one-off John Cooper Works cars. Celebrating MINI’s storied racing history, the two cars represent a shared enthusiasm for motorsport and customisation, each built with distinct design, function and creative innovation at their core.

Munich, Germany, September 3, 2025. With deep respect for craftsmanship, culture, and the communities that shape them, the partnership between MINI John Cooper Works and Deus Ex Machina comes to life through two customised one-off cars - rolling expressions of a lifestyle where a love of speed meets creativity and considered design. Built not just for performance, but for the people who live and breathe it.

Purist, functional and graphic design approach. Both vehicle concepts are based on a MINI John Cooper Works model: the first, a MINI JCW Electric with up to 190 kW/258 hp, the second, a combustion engine-powered MINI JCW with 170 kW/231 hp. Each vehicles roof features a large white ‘X’, a connecting element, which signals a significant design and co-creation: the co-creation process between two iconic brands in their own right: MINI JCW x DEUS.

Visible seams, striking switches and traditional levers emphasise the mechanical character of the cockpits. The materials and colours utilised throughout the vehicles create bold contrasts: a deliberate break with high gloss. Instead of perfection, authenticity is at the forefront: designers speak of a ‘raw, handcrafted approach’ that celebrates the ‘beauty of imperfection’. On the exterior, expressive graphics consisting of numbers, geometric elements and bright colours pay homage to MINIs racing history.

The MINI JCW X DEUS one-off cars.
Built as a pair - kindred in spirit, opposite in energy. One born of the coast: shaped by surfboards, sea spray, and the stripped-back rhythm of beach life. The other is forged on the track: lean, fast, and fuelled by a love of speed and precision.

The Skeg – sleek, electric, coast-bound.
The electric show car The Skeg is a clean, minimal rebellion inspired by surfing—using fiberglass, acceleration, and minimalism as its core themes.

Its vivid yellow and silver body makes a bold statement, with wide fenders, an illuminated grille, and a roof spoiler. Semi-transparent fiberglass panels cut weight by 15% while improving aerodynamics.

At the rear, a Flex Tip Surf Spoiler echoes the concave underside of a surfboard, channeling airflow into lift and performance. Roof tension straps nod to the ritual of securing a board, also appearing on the dashboard and steering wheel.

Fiberglass elements throughout create shifting light effects, while the dashboard itself draws directly from surfboard construction—lightweight, resilient, and visually distinct.

The Interior.
Inside, the analogue controls are stripped back - simple, tactile, and true to purpose, reflecting a surf culture that prioritises purpose over polish.

The car resembles a mobile surf shop. An example of the thoughtful functionality is the fiberglass trays for wetsuits. The specially shaped shelves provide a practical storage solution and bring the surf culture into the interior. The neoprene upholstery in the lightweight racing bucket seats – flexible, water-repellent, and comfortable – also creates a tactile connection to surfing. The fiberglass dashboard transfers the technology of surfboard construction into the automotive sector.

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 - one grounded in craft, connection, and the pursuit of the ride.

The Machina - loud, low, combustion-fed.
The Machina, a John Cooper Works that packs a compact punch of raw mechanics and motorsport bloodline. Inspired by the aesthetics of motorsport, it stands for pure racing enthusiasm and authentic functionality.

The exterior: signature elements with links to the racing scene.
The exterior design celebrates MINI’s motorsport heritage, balancing functionality with emotional appeal.

A striking red, white, and black paint scheme with Deus lettering sets the tone. Widened fenders recall racing tradition, while four bonnet-mounted headlights—each with subtle Deus branding—pay tribute to rally roots.

At the rear, a diffuser inspired by the MINI JCW Nordschleife racer improves airflow and stability, complemented by a central exhaust that amplifies both performance and presence.

Up front, a custom grille and perforated headlight surrounds boost cooling, while the JCW light signature and air intakes reinforce MINI’s high-performance DNA. A bold Can-Am-style rear spoiler completes the look, evoking an era of racing innovation.

The Interior.
Inside, the JCW show car carries the red, white, and black palette—pared back, purposeful, and true to John Cooper Works. A 5-point harness secures the driver, while raw aluminium floor plates nod to Deus’ workshop aesthetic.

Weight-saving defines the cabin: stripped door panels marked with bold white Xs, a waxed fabric dash with a lived-in patina, and an exposed roll cage that adds both safety and statement.

Controls are direct and mechanical—toggle switches, intuitive buttons, and a hydraulic handbrake with a large lever. Every detail serves precision, function, and the unfiltered racing DNA of MINI.

Concentrated creativity for two extraordinary designer pieces.
Alongside the MINI creative team, Deus’ Creative Director, Carby Tuckwell and his wider creative cohort oversaw the striking exterior graphics of the two show cars - led by Matt Willey - complimented the work of Designworks - an outcome that truly reflects extraordinary design dynamics and remarkable solutions across the two vehicles.

Deus x Matt Willey: The fascination of historic racing.
Deus’ Carby Tuckwell and Matt Willey have been working together since 2015. United by their fascination with classic motorsport liveries, they created a historic Mini Cooper S racing car in 2022 with a special 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, a native of England who lives in Brooklyn, became a partner at the renowned design firm Pentagram after five years as art director of the New York Times Magazine.

A Shared Vision Becomes Fabric.
Woven into the partnership is a capsule MINI x Deus Ex Machina apparel collection, set to launch on September 8, 2025, at IAA in Munich, before becoming available globally via Deus Ex Machina’s e-commerce and retail network. Designed exclusively for the collaboration, the range draws on the shared DNA of both brands - precision engineering, timeless styling, and obsessive attention to detail. High-grade materials and thoughtful tailoring provide the benchmark for the range, with every garment reflecting Deus’ commitment to craftsmanship and its reputation for creating apparel that moves between lifestyle and legacy. With a deep understanding of storytelling through design, Deus brings authenticity and cultural relevance to the capsule, bridging the worlds of motorsport and modern apparel in a way that feels both current and enduring.

You can be first after me.
The highlight of the MINI JCW x DEUS project's communication campaign will be the world premiere at IAA Mobility 2025 with the exclusive MINI JCW x DEUS Night on 6 September at the MINI Pavilion. The MINI JCW x DEUS collaboration will be on display at the MINI Pavilion until 14 September.

The exclusive MINI x DEUS lifestyle collection will be on sale in the same premises as well as online on all DEUS channels and in their sales rooms.

‘You can be first after me’ – the motto that unites the worlds of MINI and Deus Ex Machina. Their shared history has begun and promises further exciting chapters in the name of automotive passion.

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