How Many Civil War Re-Enactors Fit in the 2016 MINI Clubman?

In a self-proclaimed “totally organic” product placement spot, the 2016 MINI Clubman made its late-night television debut on Thursday, February 18th courtesy of Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.”  With all (okay, most) satire aside, Colbert described the Clubman as the biggest MINI ever, having “six doors and a massive trunk…its surprisingly spacious interior can fit Civil War re-enactors from opposing sides.”  Two confederate soldiers sat up front, he said, because “they started it,” while three union soldiers graced the rear seat.

Check out the Clubman’s late show spot below!

How did five full-sized adults, in costume nonetheless, fit into the MINI Clubman?  It’s simple, and we’ll explain through our own “totally organic” product placement.  Before we get to that, however, foul-weather climates rejoice – the 2016 MINI Clubman is now available for order with ALL4 all-wheel drive!  Expected to arrive in showrooms by April, the all-wheel-drive Clubman will supplement the 2016 MINI Countryman ALL4 as one of the most flexible, versatile vehicles in our lineup.

Back to interior space, the largest MINI ever boasts a whopping 38 inches of rear headroom, 34.3 inches of rear legroom, and up to 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space – enough to fit a washing machine, MINI says.  Coincidentally, the first washing machine was patented and released in 1851, just ten years prior to the beginning of the Civil War.

While James King’s original washing machine was hand powered, the 2016 MINI Clubman is unequivocally gasoline powered.  Under the hood sits either a 134-HP three-cylinder engine or a 189-HP four-cylinder engine.  Both are derived from BMW and feature the brand’s revolutionary twin-scroll turbocharging, which ensures that boost is readily available.  Either engine can be paired to a manual or automatic transmission, the latter receiving six forward gears in the base Clubman, and eight in the Clubman S.  In its most efficient configuration, the Clubman can achieve up to 25/35 city/highway MPG.

On the road, the 2016 Clubman is a traditional MINI in every sense of the word.  Its relative mass appears to shrink as speeds increase, encapsulating the brand’s heritage of go-kart-like handling.  Responsive steering, strong brakes, and an optionally-adjustable suspension ensure a clear line of communication between road and driver.

Perhaps most interestingly, the new Clubman’s interior sets the bar for the compact utility vehicle class.  Soft-touch materials combine with enhanced sound insulation, premium switchgear, and luxurious trimmings to create a genuinely upscale cabin ambiance.  The refined MINI Connected infotainment suite is now standard and easier to use, thanks to a simplified interface with customizable menus and driving parameters.

There’s no denying the allure of the all-new 2016 MINI Clubman.  It’s elevated the brand to new heights with its tremendous flexibility, heightened power and efficiency, premium materials, and available ALL4 all-wheel drive.  Combining MINI’s three-complimentary three-year scheduled maintenance program makes ownership an even more compelling proposition.  With five Civil War re-enactors and Stephen Colbert on your side, too, how could you possibly refuse?  Stop by Schomp MINI for an incredibly fun test drive today!