MINI has used Auto China 2026 in Beijing to showcase its latest design collaborations and one-off creations, highlighting a growing focus on personalisation across its lineup.
Taking centre stage is the debut of the MINI Countryman MINI x VAGABUND. This is a pair of unique builds developed in partnership with Austrian design studio Vagabund. Based on the Countryman, the project reimagines the SUV with a more lifestyle-oriented approach, featuring pumped wheel arches and a reworked rear section that replaces the side windows with an integrated audio system. The result is a concept aimed as much at social and festival settings as it is traditional driving duties.
Also making its first appearance in China is the MINI JCW × DEUS ‘The Skeg’. This is an electric one-off developed with Deus Ex Machina. With a lightweight, semi-transparent body and rally-inspired detailing, these bring back memories of classic racing Minis.
They feature a wide-body kit giving the petite hatch a 1980s-like Group B rally stance, and there’s a big rear wing, a quartet of spotlights across the bonnet, and super deep-dished wheels. In our opinion, MINI needs to offer a kit like this as an optional accessory from the showroom – that would be very cool.
Beyond the concepts, MINI’s display includes a broader mix of special editions and collaborative projects. Among them is the MINI Paul Smith Edition, which continues the long-running partnership with Paul Smith, blending the brand’s design language with the designer’s distinctive style.
The showcase also incorporates current production models and John Cooper Works variants, reinforcing that customisation extends beyond one-off builds. According to the brand, it’s all about allowing customers to tailor vehicles to reflect individual tastes, rather than simply selecting from fixed specifications.
