Electric vehicle manufacturer MINI, in collaboration with Deus Ex Machina, has unveiled a surf hatchback and a rally-inspired track car.

MINI and Deus Ex Machina Unveil Two Stunning Concept Cars

In a fusion of custom motorcycle expertise and MINI's motorsport heritage, Deus Customs has collaborated with the iconic car manufacturer to create two unique concept cars: The Skeg and The Machina.

The Skeg: A Surf-Inspired Masterpiece

The Skeg, built on an electric JCW platform, channels surf culture with its semi-transparent fiberglass panels, reducing the car's weight by 15%, a design borrowed from surfboard construction. The interior boasts neoprene upholstery, a fiberglass dashboard, wetsuit storage trays, and stripped-down analogue controls. An illuminated front grille and a Flex Tip Surf Spoiler add to its surf-inspired aesthetic.

The Machina: A Motorsport Powerhouse

The Machina, on the other hand, is a motorsport-focused concept built on a combustion-powered JCW foundation. Its exterior design includes a Can-Am-style rear spoiler, a Nordschleife-inspired diffuser, widened fenders, and four auxiliary rally lights. The interior features five-point racing harnesses, an exposed roll cage, raw aluminum floor plates, and a hydraulic handbrake with a prominent lever.

The Machina's exterior also pays homage to MINI's Monte Carlo victories from the '60s, with four auxiliary lights on the hood. Its red, white, and black paint scheme feels authentic rather than retro-for-retro's-sake. A large white 'X' on both The Skeg and The Machina roofs serves as a visual bridge between the two concepts.

Two Sides of the Same Performance Coin

The Skeg and The Machina represent two sides of the same performance coin, each built on existing JCW platforms but pushed in completely different directions. The Skeg's base model is the MINI JCW Electric, with a power output of 258hp, while The Machina's base model is the MINI JCW (combustion), with a power output of 231hp.

MINI x Deus Ex Machina Apparel Collection

To complement these stunning concept cars, a MINI x Deus Ex Machina apparel collection will launch on September 8 at IAA Munich before rolling out globally through Deus's retail network. The graphic elements of the concept vehicles, which create a visual connection between the two wildly different approaches, were handled by Matt Willey, who previously worked with Deus on a 2023 MINI Cooper S.

While the designer of the graphic elements of the MINI x Deus Ex Machina concept vehicles is not explicitly named in the provided search results, their work on the development of a 2023 MINI Cooper S with Deus Ex Machina is noteworthy.

Both JCW concepts are one-offs with no production plans, but they certainly offer a tantalising glimpse into the future of MINI's design and performance capabilities.