The Mini will celebrate its fiftieth birthday by ‘talking’ to its driver.

Smart technology will allow a special version to say ‘hello’ when the engine fires up, ‘goodbye’ and ‘see you soon’ when it is turned off as well as offer a wide range of tips for safe and more economical motoring.

When the fuel level is low it will say: “We just reached the reserve tank so I would say it’s time to fill up!”

If it is driven too fast with a cold engine, it pleads “Ease up on the gas a bit, I’m not warmed up yet but I’ll let you know when I am”.

High-speed travel prompts the car to suggest: “Take it easy please and we’ll save fuel at the same time,” while driving with the sunroof open and the air conditioning system operating results in the rebuke: “This is no good – one of them has to go to make any environmental sense at all and that’s that”.

Dubbed ‘mission control’ by creators at the BMW research centre in Munich, the technology marks the launch of next-generation in-car entertainment systems.

“We think it supports the driver over and above existing functions in properly interpreting information and using data for appropriate action. But while we regard it as primarily a safety device, it is fitting that this car will talk because we know Mini owners like to have more emotional interaction with their cars,” said a spokesman.

Production of the Camden and another special called Mayfair will start half a century to the day the original Mini was launched and will run for just 12 months.