The spark was ignited almost by chance, when the Mini team discovered that Deus Ex Machina had customized a classic Mini together with New York graphic designer Matt Willey. There was no warning, no official collaboration, yet the result was so powerful that it immediately caught the attention of the British brand’s designers. That episode sparked a desire to work together, bringing together two seemingly different worlds that share the same language: a passion for cars, customization, and a vibrant culture of freedom and creativity. \u201cThere was no need to explain what Mini is and what it represents,\u201d says Holger Hampf, head of design. “Deus already knew our history, from our victories in Monte Carlo to the origins of the brand. There was nothing to teach: they were as passionate as we were, and this made the fusion between our DNA and their aesthetics feel natural.” The result is two one-offs that embody different but complementary souls: The Machina, compact and gritty, rooted in Mini’s racing heritage, and The Skag, electric, fluid, and shaped by the spirit of surfing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/H2V2434.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>With the Skag, Mini and Deus have brought materials and philosophies into the automotive world that are rarely seen in this field. Translucent fiberglass, neoprene, details reminiscent of surfboards and their handcrafted construction. A risk? Perhaps, but also a perfectly successful challenge. \u201cFiberglass is not a common material in production cars,\u201d explains Hampf, \u201cbut here it was inevitable. The spoiler, for example, is made just like a surfboard: a foam core covered with transparent fiber. It’s authentic, lightweight, and conveys the Deus culture in a language that fits perfectly with ours.\u201d Every detail evokes the beach: from the translucent fiber wheel arches to the dashboard, which recalls the simplicity of surfboards. Inside, neoprene-covered sports seats and fiber trays designed for wetsuits transform the cabin into a small surf shop on four wheels.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>