MINI and Deus Ex Machina reveal Skeg and Machina: 255 hp electric, 228 hp turbo, fiberglass bodywork, and extreme aerodynamics.
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Quick Questions ( essentials in 30 seconds)
- What are Skeg and Machina? Two MINI Cooper JCW concepts created with Deus Ex Machina; an electric (Skeg) and an internal combustion (Machina).
- How much power? Skeg: 255 hp (front motor). Machina: 228 hp (2.0 turbo four-cylinder).
- Why so much fiberglass? In Skeg, to reduce weight by approximately 15% and to explore aesthetics and function inspired by surfing.
- Are these production cars? No. They serve as design, material, and dynamic laboratories for future MINI models.
MINI and Deus Ex Machina teamed up to create two JCW concepts that throw convention out the window. Skeg (EV) and Machina (ICE) are not just style exercises: they’re technical manifestos about weight, aerodynamics, and driving feel.
Why do Skeg and Machina matter now as MINI concepts?
Because each explores different limits. Skeg investigates how an electric hot hatch can be lighter, more responsive, and more functional with materials like fiberglass panels and fenders. Machina reinterprets race-inspired DNA with a low stance, exposed cage, and rally hardware for absolute control.
Together, they anticipate language, solutions, and sensations that could migrate to street performance models. This directly aligns with the evolution of the current MINI JCW lineup and its power upgrades, signaling the next steps in performance and customization.
How does functional aerodynamic design define each unique JCW?
On the Skeg, the fiberglass body acts like a surfboard on air: wide fenders with exposed rivets, a roof with tension strips, and a large wing that “reads” airflow like a surfboard reading the wave. The result is less mass, more support area, and stability at high speeds.
In Machina, the function is aggressive: four circular rally-style auxiliary lights above the grille, a prominent diffuser, a Can-Am style spoiler on the roof, and muscular wheel arches. Round LED strip headlights housed in circular casings, combined with the exposed cage, make it clear: priority is on rigidity and track-readiness.
What are the power, weight, and hidden hardware beneath the skin?
Skeg: front electric motor with 255 hp, front-wheel drive, and a weight reduction of about 15% thanks to semi-transparent fiberglass panels. The interior is stripped back: bucket seats, water-repellent neoprene, fabric handles, fiber trays for wetsuits. The goal balances real lightness with usability, aiming for what an EV hot hatch should be—and directly competes with projects like the European electric hot hatch aiming to be a reference.
Machina: 2.0 turbo four-cylinder with 228 hp, five-point harnesses, competition bucket seats, raw aluminum flooring, lightweight doors, a minimalist steering wheel, and a hydraulic handbrake to control drifts. The focus is on refined feedback and control—a path similar to rally spirits that made icons like the rally-bred hot hatch with surgical modifications.
What changes in driving: 255 hp electric vs. 2.0 turbo?
In Skeg, the instant torque of the EV combined with weight reduction should deliver fierce acceleration and light steering. The “surf-style” active aerodynamics stabilize the rear, boosting confidence in high-speed cornering. It’s a modern take on the hot hatch, contrasting with the classic gasoline school still dominant in icons like the 2025 GTI and its iconic, balanced handling.
In Machina, power delivery is progressive and communicative, with a hydraulic handbrake for instant attitude changes, and a “slammed” stance that keeps the car glued to the ground. The combination of structural rigidity and aggressive aerodynamics promises millimeter-precise control—aligned with the future many electric sports cars already pursue, as seen in this project illustrating what electric sports cars of the next decade will look like.
How might these concepts influence future MINI JCW models?
Materials that are lightweight, aerodynamics inspired by action sports, washable and minimalist interiors, and racing interfaces could migrate to special editions. The clear takeaway: less “decoration,” more function you can feel in your hands and on the stopwatch.
Even without a production plan, Skeg and Machina serve as statements of intent. They pave the way for a development line where the hot hatch—electric or turbo—remains visceral, tactile, and customizable, without sacrificing efficiency or identity.
Quick comparison vs. current hot hatches
- Skeg: lightweight, focused EV
- Machina: pure, rugged ICE
- GTI: balanced tradition
- Type R: track-ready and precise
- Electric hatches: instant torque
Highlights in 20 seconds
- 255 hp front electric
- 228 hp 2.0 turbo ICE
- Functional fiberglass
- Cage and hydraulic brakes
- Massive Can-Am style aero
Now it’s your turn: which solution wins you over—Skeg’s electric lightness or Machina’s raw mechanical control? Leave your comment and tell us why.
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Author: Fabio Isidoro
Founder and editor-in-chief of Canal Carro, he dedicates himself to exploring the automotive universe with depth and passion. A car and technology enthusiast, he produces technical content and in-depth analyses of national and international vehicles, combining quality information with a critical eye for the public.