Deus Ex Machina, named for the Latin phrase that means “god from the machine,” is a brand not everyone is familiar with but that has a bit of a special relationship with Mini. The Sydney, Australia, company had roots in custom motorcycles before eventually expanding to include a global clothing line marketed toward outgoing, fun-loving folks. It’s a cohort Mini knows well, as the automaker’s fans and owners love making their Coopers and Countryman SUVs their own through wraps, accessories, and more. And now these brands have collaborated to create two unique John Cooper Works (JCW) models in ICE and all-electric flavors to celebrate Mini’s motorsports history, dating back to the iconic BMC Works Mini Cooper S and the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.
A Fire-Breathing Heart
That rally inspiration is clearly seen in the ICE JCW with its hood-mounted light pods, extended wheel arches, and No. 37 gumball, as used by Monte Carlo Rally Cooper S driver Paddy Hopkirk. This gas-fed JCW is called “The Machina,” signifying its mechanical beating heart. While the hood-mounted light pods are a standout feature, you can’t miss the unique headlights and bespoke grille treatment. The headlight surrounds are perforated and, along with the new grille, offer additional cooling for the 231-hp engine.
The conical-shaped side mirrors are a classic pair of aerodynamically minded designs you’d see throughout the 1960s and 1970s, while the X on the roof seems to harken to the tape rally drivers used to place over the headlamp covers to ward off chips and cracks. At the rear of The Machina is a large diffuser that recalls Mini’s more modern Nürburgring 24-hour race car, as well as a rear wing that offers additional downforce at speed. Finally, the “T51” on the hood refers to the Cooper-Climax T51 Grand Prix car driven by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss in 1959.
The inside is all business in The Machina. The red, black, and white scheme continues through with touches of red in the bare floor, five-point seat belts, and lower trim where the dashboard and center console meet. The standard JCW seats are replaced by a pair of proper motorsports pieces, while raw aluminum floor plates raise them up for proper positioning for the pedals for the driver. The door panels are stripped of unnecessary cladding and repeat the “X” motif from the roof. The controls are pared down to be as simple as possible; classic toggle switches give mechanical feedback and pure functionality. The standard steering wheel has been replaced with a Deus- and Mini-branded racing unit, and a hydraulic handbrake replaces the electronic one for precise tail-out driving maneuvers.
An Electric Rolling Surf Shop
The all-electric version of the Cooper pair comes in the form of “The Skeg.” While its motorsports influence is evident, The Skeg draws additional inspiration from surfing in its use of fiberglass and minimalism. Raw fiberglass is on full display in the nose, bolt-on fender arches, roof, and rear wing,