FIFTY years ago Mini mania was swinging into gear as the nation's favourite little car grew a bit.

In 1961 the first of many derivatives of the sensational front-wheel-drive trendsetter arrived in the shape of estate models.

The more practical Traveller and Countryman versions brought Mini motoring to a wider audience and to mark the anniversary a special edition of the current MINI estate is being launched.

The MINI Clubman Hampton is the first of a new range of MINI specials which are being named after London landmarks or boroughs and will be available for the next 12 months as the eyes of the world turn to the capital not just for last week's royal wedding but also for next year's Olympic games.

Although the original Clubman did not arrive until 1969 it was the name MINI's new owners BMW chose to give the new estate when it went on sale four years ago.

The Hampton - named after Hampton Court - has its own metallic blue paint job with a black roof and features 17-inch twin spoke alloys which when finished in black make it look very swish.

Each model has special MINI 50 badging on the front grille, door pillars, indicator surrounds and on the door sills to mark the golden jubilee and add to its exclusivity.

It's something of a style sensation and MINI has decided to deck out the car with damson red highlights in the form of bonnet stripes, pin stripes on the door mirror housings and coloured wheel caps.

The damson theme is carried on inside with piping on the black leather upholstery and on the floor mats. It's also used to colour the surround on the central speedometer which, like the hot John Cooper Works MINIs, has a grey facing while the pin stripe is repeated in the gloss finish on the facia.

Even the seats have their own Hampton name tags.

It may sound like overkill but the effect is stunning and puts this little MINI very much in the luxury league.

Standard equipment includes climate control, an onboard computer, Bluetooth connectivity and ambient interior lighting which gives the cockpit a classy feel at night.

It will appeal to MINI fans who really want to make a mark although at £20,360 for the cheapest version it's some £5,000 more expensive than the entry level Clubman.

Prices top out at £23,185 for the Cooper SD fitted with MINI's new 143bhp two-litre diesel engine which gives the car a most accomplished performance.

Top speed is 134mph with 0 to 60 acceleration of 8.6 seconds and it is as composed as any other MINI on the road.

Precision handling has become a trademark of the MINI and like all versions it is great fun to drive.

The beauty of the new diesel is that its performance now comes with added economy and it will average around 64 to the gallon with CO2 emissions of 115g/km making it free of road tax for the first 12 months. Business users face a 13 per cent tax rate.

Although the Clubman offers more luggage space than the MINI hatch - up to 930 litres - and in true retro fashion it features a van-like twin door tailgate, the ‘suicide' door on the driver's side remains an issue.

Nevertheless, the Hampton is classy enough for that concern to be put aside and the quality of its exclusive features alone make it highly desirable.