Mini unveils Mayfair and Camden 50th Anniversary special editions

To celebration its 50th year of production, BMW’s Mini brand launched a pair of special editions to commemorate the milestone. They are 50 Mayfair and 50 Camden, which are launched at the marque’s 50th birthday party at the United Festival at Silverstone in Great Britain.

The names of the two models were chosen for London boroughs known alternately for exclusivity (50 Mayfair) and trendy urban culture (50 Camden). Their designs reflect those names with fitting accessories and intentions.

Both cars can be had with a choice of two gasoline engines or a diesel. The bigger of the two gasoline units offers 172hp (128kW) and 37.9mpg thanks to a four-pot fitted with a twin-scroll turbo. The second engine generates 118hp (88kW) and gets a very green 43.6mpg combined, while the diesel goes one further, turning out 107hp (80kW) and a very thrifty 60mpg. Both can also be ordered with either six-speed automatics or six-speed manuals.

Each car gets special paintwork, unique alloy rims, special interior materials and surfaces and a range of colors tailored to each car's purpose. A special placard is also affixed to each car, marking them out as limited-run models.

For the Mayfair, Mini decided to go for comfort and extravagance, with Toffy color Lounge leather upholstery and white piping, turquoise-green accents throughout the cabin, and Carbon Black interior finish elements to offset the brown-black dashboard.

Twelve-spoke 17in alloy wheels, a choice of Chocolate Brown, Pepper White or Midnight Black exterior colors, extra headlights inset at the grille, pinstriping and unique Mayfair badging complete the treatment.

A less classic look adorns the Camden, aiming for a more progressive theme. A choice of silver, white or black standard colors, plus Midnight Black or Horizon Blue metallics give the Camden a wider range of choice. Dual-tone matte/polished 17in alloy wheels also play off their unique look and finish.

Fluid Silver trim panels and doors plus leather-surfaced sport seats with green and white seams accent the cabin, and more turquoise green highlights offset the darker interior colors. Camden badging along with a range of smaller tweaks completes the look.

Both cars also come with an exclusive HiFi system with USB support and 'Mission Control' - a system that processes and evaluates a wide range of vehicle, driving and ambient signals, providing the driver with safety notifications and comfort settings.

Both cars will be launched into the market in September 2009, production of the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden starting exactly fifty years after the official presentation of the classic Mini and being limited to just one year.