We already knew from a number of prototype sightings that the next Mini Clubman would drop the current model's eccentric 2+1 door layout with the suicide rear-passenger side door for a more conventional five-door (*technically, it has six doors) estate body. That it would do it in such an eye-catching fashion (at least in concept guise), was something that admittedly caught us by surprise.
One thing that the new concept retains from the soon-to-be replaced Clubman is the split rear doors for the luggage compartment that house the new horizontal tail lamps, which with a little bit of imagination, bring to mind those of the Bentley SUV concept.

Mini says that the second generation Clubman previewed by this thinly veiled study showcases "a new brand philosophy for a higher class of automobile". It's a much bigger car as well, with the concept measuring 260mm longer than the model it replaces at 4223mm, while it's also about 170mm wider at 1,844 mm and 25mm taller at 1,450 mm.

Actually, the new Clubman is Mini's biggest model yet being surpassing even the Contryman crossover in all directions but height (4,097mm long x 1,789mm wide x 1,561 mm tall).

"The MINI Clubman Concept shows how the MINI Clubman could be taken a step further: more interior space, a greater sense of high-end quality and yet still clever, bold and distinctive. In short: more car, more MINI," explained Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design.

Naturally, as a concept model, Mini made sure to dress the more or less production ready body with a collection of showy pieces like the full chrome front grille, 19-inch wheels and a futuristic set of instrument gauges and trim accents inside the clean interior, most of which will be absent from the plainer-looking car you will see on showroom floors.

The Clubman Concept will enjoy its first public outing at next week's Geneva Motor Show, with sales of the production model to start before the end of the year or early 2015, depending on your geographical location.

No more trick (passenger) doors for the Mini Clubman, as the BMW Group-owned British carmaker is readying a more conventional replacement for the compact model with a regular four-door arrangement and a station wagon body that ditches the current version's 2+1 side door setup with the suicide-style, rear-passenger side door.

One thing that will remain unchanged, however, is the split rear-tailgate with twin doors hinged on the sides.

The new Clubman will utilize the third-generation BMW Mini chassis codenamed UKL1, albeit with an extended wheelbase for improved interior space, and powertrain components including a selection of the three- and four-cylinder turbocharged diesel and gasoline engines.

It will sit above the forthcoming five-door 2015 Mini Hatch, essentially taking on the role of the more practical and roomier estate version of the series.

Look for the new Clubman to arrive in showrooms sometime in 2015.

MINI execs were undoubtedly aware that the asymmetrical door layout of the previous-gen Clubman was not hugely practical and not necessarily to everybody’s taste. That’s why when they made a new Clubman, based on the all-new and bigger MINI hatch, they gave it two proper rear doors.

It was shown in concept form in Geneva this year and now we learn it’s set to debut in 2015, at the Frankfurt motor show.

CarAdvice got more information on the upcoming Clubman from Mini’s head of communications, Andreas Lampka. He explained “the Clubman will not be a spinoff of the Hatch, the Clubman is a different architecture, [it] is a bigger car,” while admitting that “back then the Clubman in 2007 was the longer wheelbase Mini, which had one additional door. [It] wasn’t really practical, and it’s why it only happened one time.”

The “barn door boot” layout will remain, though, but the rest of the vehicle will be a far more practical transportation solution for people and stuff. It will rival hatchbacks from the class above for space (probably). Production spec new Clubmans will stick very close to the look of the Geneva concept, with only minor detail changes.

The second generation Mini Clubman will soon find its way from concept car to production reality. Our spies nabbed a new prototype model testing out in the open and were able to take a quick shot of the car's cabin.

While similar, the next Clubman's dashboard won't be identical to the new hatchback featuring reshaped upper and (elevated) lower center consoles, rectangular instead of round corner air vents as well as an electronic rather than a mechanical handbrake.

With the new Clubman, Mini is targeting the compact estate market giving the car a proper four-door layout, instead of the current model's small rear-hinged third door (2+1), while retaining the two "barn" doors at the rear, making it a 6-door model.

It’s not only the extra doors that will help the new Clubman to become a more family-friendly proposal, but the increased dimensions as well. The near-production concept revealed by Mini at last year's Geneva show was 260mm longer than the Clubman Mk1 at 4223mm, 170mm wider at 1,844 mm and 25mm taller at 1,450 mm, and we expect those proportions to be carried over to the production car.

Mini is expected to release the new Clubman later this year.

Could be debut in Frankfurt

Work continues on the 2016 MINI Clubman as our spies have caught a prototype wearing less disguise than ever before.

Previewed by the Clubman concept, the production model has a familiar front fascia with circular headlights and a prominent grille. Moving further back, we can see plastic body cladding and traditional rear doors which should improve access to the enlarged cabin. The car also has split rear doors, a tailgate-mounted spoiler and distinctive taillights.

Engine options will carryover from the Cooper, so expect a variety of petrol and diesel options including a 1.5-liter three-cylinder with 134 bhp (100 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque as well as a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 189 bhp (141 kW) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque.

These are the first renderings of the Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo virtual race car, which will be available as free downloadable content for the Gran Turismo 6 video game.

Surprisingly, the car is not based on the recently-unveiled Mini JCW hatch, but on a model that has yet to arrive, the Clubman. However, it’s a Clubman that gets the John Cooper Works treatment and lacks two doors compared to the production model, which will have six doors.

The Mini Vision Gran Turismo sports a very aggressive look thanks to the extreme body kit featuring a big carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, dual rear spoiler and a vented hood. The LED headlights, 22-inch wheels and the Cyber Silver color also help give the car a mean appearance. Inside, the race car features bucket seats and a roll cage.

Envisioned as a racing version of the Mini Clubman, the virtual car has 395hp and features the All4 all-wheel drive system. As a consequence, it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph) - in the game, obviously.

Mini has officially unveiled the Clubman Vision Gran Turismo virtual racecar which will be available in the Gran Turismo 6 video game for PlayStation 3.

The racing version of the upcoming Clubman is powered by an unspecified 395hp engine which accelerates it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds.

Power is transferred via a sequential 6-speed transmission to the permanent all-wheel drive system, while gear shifting is achieved using wheel-mounted paddles. Top speed is up to 290 km/h (180 mph), depending on the gearbox ratio (specific to each race track).

The car also features fully adjustable dampers at the front and rear for an optimum connection with the road.

As for the aggressive looking aerodynamic package, Mini says it’s functional and not only for show. The car features big air inlets and air ducting surfaces in the lower part of the front end, with the large central air inlet reaching down to just above the ground.

The front splitters regulate airflow to cool the engine and brakes, while the carbon fiber front apron and flat underbody help reduce air resistance and overall weight. The wide track with broadly flared wheel arches is said to help handling.

At the rear, the striking split doors of the Mini Clubman Vision Gran Turismo are given clear graphic emphasis, while the double rear spoiler ensures downforce at high speeds. The lower section features air outlets and ducting surfaces in carbon.