Mini has decided to have some fun with its John Cooper Works lineup, creating two one-off hatchbacks in collaboration with lifestyle label Deus Ex Machina. The pair, named Machina and Skeg, pay tribute to Mini’s racing DNA with oversized bodywork, bespoke cabins, and standout graphics. One runs on petrol, the other on electricity, but both are equally dramatic.

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The duo is based on the latest JCW and JCW Electric, each reworked with custom styling cues and handcrafted interiors. Machina takes its cues from the racetrack, while Skeg leans into a surf-inspired, laid-back aesthetic. What ties them together are the oversized roof graphics, Deus branding, and deliberately asymmetric wraps that make them hard to miss.

Track-Ready Machina

Starting with the Machina, the hatchback rocks a red, white, and black livery. Exterior upgrades include wide fender extensions, retro-flavored lights on the hood, a custom grille, a Can-Am-style rear wing, and a larger diffuser. Furthermore, the headlights have LED bars instead of the regular graphics, making room for additional air intakes.

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The stripped-out interior boasts racing buckets with five-point harnesses, a three spoke steering wheel, aluminum floor plates, and an exposed roll cage. The modified JCW also gains a hydraulic handbrake and a bunch of toggle switches on the center console which are easier to operate compared to the menus of the circular touchscreen.

Surf-Inspired Skeg

The electric Skeg takes a very different approach, swapping track grit for coastal flair. Its silver, black, and yellow graphics mix with raw fiberglass panels that nod to surfboard construction. The closed grille glows with illumination and seven round cutouts along the bottom, giving it a playful edge.

Its bodywork is even more extreme than the Machina’s, with oversized translucent fiberglass fender extensions that reduce weight by 15 percent. Racing wheels, a bright yellow diffuser, and an enormous “Flex Tip Surf Spoiler” on the roof complete the look.

Inside, the Skeg has more semi-transparent fiberglass panels, a pair of racing buckets with neoprene upholstery, straps instead of door handles, and a rear surfboard on the fiberglass roof. The latter is being held into place by two yellow tension straps which are also visible from the exterior. Mini designers also threw in fiberglass trays for wetsuits.

No Extra Power, Just Extra Personality

Despite their aggressive appearances, both hatchbacks use standard JCW running gear. The Machina relies on a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 228 hp (170 kW/231 PS) and 380 Nm of torque, while the all-electric Skeg delivers 255 hp (190 kW/258 PS) and 350 Nm. Each sits on the familiar John Cooper Works chassis without further tuning, proving the wild styling isn’t matched by performance tweaks.

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These one-off hot hatches won’t see showrooms, but they will be joined by a Mini x Deus Ex Machina apparel line launching September 8 at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich. Unlike the cars, the clothing will actually be available to buy through the Deus Ex Machina network

Mini

More than a year after making its digital debut, Lancia’s long-awaited hot hatch has finally rolled onto the tarmac. The sub-compact Ypsilon HF was officially launched at the Balocco proving ground in Italy, giving the world a first proper look at the fastest, most expensive Ypsilon to date.

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For those who like the sporty aesthetic without the price tag (or the horsepower), there’s also the HF Line for the supermini, a trimmed-down alternative available in both hybrid and electric form. It keeps most of the visual drama while skipping the mechanical upgrades.

Performance

Starting with the full-blown Ypsilon HF, the hot hatch is equipped with a single electric motor generating 276 hp (207 kW / 280 PS) and 345 Nm (255 lb-ft) of torque. That puts it right in line with other high-performance EVs under the Stellantis umbrella, such as the Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and the upcoming Opel Mokka GSE and Peugeot 208 GTI.

With the help of a front-mounted Torsen limited-slip differential, the Ypsilon HF can launch from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. While that’s quick for its class, top speed is less impressive, capped at 180 km/h (112 mph). Power is drawn from a 54 kWh battery, providing a WLTP-rated range of 370 km (230 miles) between charges.

The HF rides on a stiffened chassis with revised suspension geometry and a lower stance. It sits 20 mm (0.8 inches) closer to the ground than the standard Ypsilon and gets a wider footprint, with 30 mm (1.2 inches) added to the front and rear tracks. Braking has also been upgraded, courtesy of an Aclon system with monobloc four-piston calipers and 355 mm discs up front.

Rally-inspired Looks

Visually, the Ypsilon HF stands apart with a sportier bodykit and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. Compared to the standard model, it features redesigned bumpers with larger intakes, wider fenders with aero extensions behind the front wheels, a rear diffuser, and the HF badge featuring the iconic red elephant. It’s offered in Nero Ardesia, Bianco Quarzo, and Arancione Lava, the last of which pays tribute to the racing liveries of classic Fulvia and Stratos models.

Inside, the Ypsilon HF gets an electric-blue dashboard, aluminum pedals, sports seats wrapped in Econyl, and a generous scattering of HF logos. Standard equipment includes dual 10.25-inch displays with custom graphics, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and Level 2 driver assistance features. Lancia’s quirky “multifunctional coffee table” console is also along for the ride.

The HF Line As A Budget Alternative

If the full-fat HF is a bit much for your wallet, or you just don’t need all that power, the HF Line delivers the visual flavor at a more digestible price. It wears the same bumpers and logos as the HF, but skips the wide fenders and drops down to 17-inch alloys. Inside, it gets its own version of sporty seats featuring a “cannelloni-style” design with orange stitching. It’s still dramatic, just with a milder aftertaste.

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Despite its aggressive styling, the Ypsilon HF Line doesn’t come with any performance or chassis upgrades. It’s available with either a mild-hybrid 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing a rather poor 109 hp (81 kW / 110 PS), or the standard electric powertrain. In its ICE form, the HF Line does 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3 seconds, a full 3.4 seconds slower than the HF. Oddly enough, it manages a higher top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph).

Price and Release Timeline

The Ypsilon HF is scheduled to hit European dealerships after the summer, while the HF Line is already available for order. In Italy, the fully electric HF starts at €39,200 ($45,900), which makes it the priciest Ypsilon ever sold. The HF Line, on the other hand, starts from a much more palatable €22,450 ($27,300) with the mild hybrid.

Track-Ready Versions

Lancia isn’t stopping at the road-going versions. The brand also shared details on two racing-spec Ypsilons, both powered by non-electrified 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engines and featuring mechanical limited-slip differentials up front.

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The entry-level Ypsilon HF Racing produces 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) and aims for value-conscious racers with a starting price of €38,900 ($45,600). At the top of the heap sits the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF, packing 209 hp (156 kW / 212 PS), a five-speed Sadev gearbox, upgraded brakes, and proper rally hardware. That one will cost you though, as it starts at €74,500 ($87,400).

Lancia

The countdown to the 103rd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb continues as Hyundai and Evasive Motorsports have unveiled a hardcore Ioniq 5 N. It’s slated to race up the 12.42 mile (20 km) long course on June 22 with Rob Walker behind the wheel.

Billed as Evasive Motorsports’ “most ambitious EV project to date,” the specially prepared Ioniq 5 N Pikes Peak has undergone a radical transformation and lost 500 lbs (227 kg) in the process. That’s a significant reduction and it was made possible by stripping the interior and creating a new set of doors out of carbon fiber. They’re joined by a carbon fiber tailgate and a number of one-off components.

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Evasive said one of the biggest hurdles was sourcing competition parts, since very few exist for the Ioniq 5 N. However, Japan’s Voltex stepped up and created an aerodynamic body kit that includes a carbon fiber splitter, bulging fender flares, and new side skirts. They’re joined by carbon fiber underbody paneling and a massive rear wing.

Aerodynamics aside, the car has been outfitted with Krontec air jacks and 19-inch Titan racing wheels wrapped in Yokohama racing slicks. They’re joined by a six-point roll cage and a Moton coilover suspension with prototype anti-roll bars from EVS Tuning. Rounding out the highlights are CSG Spec brake pads and a Sparco carbon fiber seat.

Since the electric motors can’t be tuned, the car features a familiar dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing up to 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS) and 568 lb-ft (769 Nm) of torque. This enables the road-going model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.25 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 162 mph (261 km/h).

Evasive Motorsports co-president Mike Chang said they’re aiming to “break the elusive 10-minute barrier” this year. He added, “We’ve come close in the past and feel it’s far more achievable with the Ioniq 5 N.”