The Cowley-built new Mini's latest celebrity fan is Madonna. The pop giant is so pleased with her black Mini Cooper S that she has given it a mention in her latest single American Life.

Madonna, who lives in London with film director Guy Ritchie and two children, told Jonathan Ross in a BBC1 interview how much she liked driving the car.

The singer, who has sold millions of albums worldwide with smash hits including Vogue and Material Girl, is not the first celebrity to endorse the new Mini.

However, none of them have given the car such a public seal of approval and BMW bosses are delighted.

Mini spokesman Natalie Wakefield said: "We are absolutely delighted that Madonna is the latest celebrity to drive the new Mini.

"We understand that she bought the car some time ago.

"But she made it clear in the interview with Jonathan Ross that she was very happy with it.

"Madonna is a style icon and could afford to drive any car in the world -- to choose the Mini is brilliant.

"I'm sure she finds it ideal for driving and parking in London."

In 2001, Madonna appeared in an Internet advert for BMW cars, directed by her husband, but the ads did not feature the new Mini.

Other celebrity owners of the new Mini include Sting, Martine McCutcheon, and television presenters Trinny Woodall and Vernon Kaye.

Robbie Williams gave Rod Stewart's ex-wife Rachel Hunter a new Mini when they were dating.

The celebrity clamour for the new Mini mirrors the popularity of the original car in the 1960s, which was driven by stars including Beatle John Lennon and actor Peter Sellers.

Later this year, the BMW version will get a big-screen boost in an update of the 1968 film The Italian Job, which starred Sir Michael Caine.

BMW provided 32 Minis for the scenes shot in Los Angeles.

The German manufacturer recorded its best British sales figures in March, selling 6,624 cars.

The new Mini has now been launched in 70 countries, including China, instead of the 50 originally planned.

Next month sees the launch of the diesel version of the new Mini, while a soft-top version is also in the pipeline.