2024 Mini Clubman signals the end of the strange tailgate.

The 2024 release of the Mini Cooper Clubman will be the last model year for the Mini station wagon with its quirky split rear doors.

On Tuesday, Mini confirmed that the Clubman will be released as a Final Edition model, limited to 1,969 units, in honor of the year of the original Clubman. The first Clubman had split rear doors, more typical of vans than station wagons, and a longer wheelbase than the original Mini. Production continued until 1981.

In 2007, the Clubman again had split rear doors under BMW under the Mini brand, but only on the driver's side with full-length doors and a smaller rear door with a passenger-side reverse-opening door, similar to extended-cab pickups.

The current Clubman, the third generation, was announced in 2015 and launched as a 2016 model. This time, in addition to four doors, it received split rear doors, making it effectively a six-door station wagon; a 228 hp John Cooper Works model was created, which was later upgraded to 301 hp.

The last version of the Mini, the Clubman, was based on the Cooper S version and was powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four with 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Mini has brought back the manual transmission in some models, but the Clubman is expected to stay with the seven-speed automatic until the end. At least some markets will offer both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, but it is unclear if this will be the case in the U.S.

The Final Edition will feature mostly exterior changes: paint colors of Nanook White, Enigmatic Black, and Melting Silver. Copper trim and stripes, a "1 of 1,969" badge on the center pillar, and uniquely designed 18-inch wheels. The interior features brown leather seats with fabric inserts and contrast trim, "Final Edition" sill plates, green and copper trim elements. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Like many other automakers, Mini is focusing on electric crossover SUVs rather than fancy station wagons in its future plans. A redesigned Countryman will be released this year, followed by a smaller electric crossover based on the Aceman concept. That model is expected to arrive in 2024 as a 2025 model, possibly under a different name. Mini plans to release its last gasoline-powered car in 2025 and eventually sell only electric vehicles.