Check out Mini's new concepts with Deus Ex Machina
Petrol powered Machina and EV Skeg celebrate motorsport and customisation - in some style...
For almost as long as Minis have existed - 66 years last month, in fact - modification has been a huge part of the appeal. It’s something that modern Mini has of course really lent into, of course, making a Cooper your own with wheels, stripes, graphics as well as performance upgrades. The Mini story doesn’t really exist without motorsport, either, from plucky rally victories back in the day to present day historic tin tops. To celebrate Mini’s incredible history with customisation and racing, two new concepts have been created for the IAA show in Munich with Deus Ex Machina. And they look absolutely brilliant.
We’ll begin with Machina, the car with the red accents, spotlights and proper race car stance. Mini reckons the concept is ‘forged on the track: lean, fast, and fuelled by a love of speed and precision.’ It’s based on a petrol powered JCW, and no mechanical mods are mentioned, but the cosmetic overhaul - from the new perforated headlight surrounds to the chunky arches, the diffuser to the ‘Can-Am-style rear spoiler’ - make for a much more purposeful looking Mini than we’ve seen thus far from the current generation.
And check out the inside, complete with buckets, cage, stripped door cards and a ruddy great hydraulic handbrake. While it’s hard to imagine much of it coming to a production Mini (though what a final petrol powered GP it could be), fans will surely be pleased just to see a JCW with some proper attitude and intent. The steering wheel is perfect, the toggle switches between the seats are cool, and the raw aluminium footplates scream track car. Apparently they also ‘echo the utilitarian aesthetic found in Deus’ custom motorcycle workshops’. They probably cost as much as most entire R53 projects, what with the Deus badge and everything. But let’s not lose sight of the main takeaway here: this is the most exciting JCW in yonks. The concept is said to represent ‘pure racing enthusiasm and authentic functionality’, which we’d all surely love to see more of in Minis.
The EV Skeg is just as interesting, inspired by surf culture and once more making a pretty plain Mini much more appealing. There’s some worthwhile stuff beyond trying very hard to be cool, too, with semi-transparent fibreglass panels both reducing weight (much needed given the JCW Electric’s 1,700 kilos) and improving aero. The rear spoiler ‘responds to airflow much like a surfboard rides the contours of the wave.’ Note as well how both Machina and Skeg feature a giant ‘X’ on their roofs, signifying the collaboration between Mini and X.
The inside of the EV is meant to look like a mobile surf shop, so a bit rough and ready rather than perfectly preened. Which feels a little bit anti-Mini, in fact, and all the more intriguing as a result. ‘Instead of perfection, authenticity is at the forefront: designers speak of a ‘raw, handcrafted approach’ that celebrates the ‘beauty of imperfection’, reads the press release. The bucket seats in the Skeg are finished in neoprene, there are trays for wet suits, and the boot features storage shelves. Again, we aren’t going to see a surf-spec JCW anytime soon, but it’s a nice reminder that Minis can still be fun. And you certainly wouldn’t bet against the fibreglass dash making it to production at some point.
Stefan Richmann, Head of Mini, said: “Mini models have always been characterized by a blend of creative design and motorsport dynamics. 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.” And if Skeg and Machina have you in the mood for a great modified Mini JCW, you know where to look…
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If Mini had made the GP3 look like these things, and fitted a manual gearbox and rear seats, I would have (and still would) have bought one!
Quite like the track look but as others say, might have made a better Gp3 instead of the pebble catchers they actually used,
If Mini had made the GP3 look like these things, and fitted a manual gearbox and rear seats, I would have (and still would) have bought one!
I don't mind loss of rear seats so much as that is a GP thing (as with Megane R26R and Clubsport S), and finding the rear seats are such a faff to access anyway you may as well have none and access the whole rear load space through the boot.
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