Makes › ERA › Mini Turbo · Specialist manufacturer · 1989–1991 Very Rare
ERA
Mini Turbo
ERA-engineered turbocharged Mini with Metro Turbo engine and bodykit, sold via Rover dealers
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 400 Built
- Years
- 1989–1991
- Engine
- Inline four, OHV, transversely mounted · 1,275 cc / 1.3 LFactory: 1,275 cc
- Power
- 70.1 kW / 95.3 PSFactory: 94 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 185 km/hFactory: 115 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Dennis Adams (body modifications and spoilers)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The ERA Mini Turbo was conceived in the 1980s as a modern successor to the Mini Cooper S: the fastest production Mini yet, but with refinement and midrange torque rather than a peaky competition engine. It combined the Austin Rover 1300 A-series with a Garrett turbocharger and a rebuilt interior.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
ERA Mini Turbo (Wikimedia Commons: ERA Mini Turbo)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0
ERA Mini Turbo (Wikimedia Commons: ERA Mini Turbo)
Photo: Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England · CC BY 2.0
ERA Mini Turbo (Wikimedia Commons: ERA Mini Turbo)
Photo: Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England · CC BY 2.0
ERA Mini Turbo (Wikimedia Commons: ERA Mini Turbo)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0
_(37102099833).jpg){kind=link}
_(37513723990).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productioncars built (some 400) | 4001 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
ERA built the car from standard Austin Rover parts to avoid long testing and uneconomic production runs. The body modifications and spoilers were styled by Dennis Adams. The turbocharged 1275 cc engine needed body shell changes and modified cooling to fit, and the suspension was developed with computer simulation and track testing at Castle Combe.
Tuned for strong midrange torque, the car was marketed as docile in traffic.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Mini Turbo.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Inline four, OHV, transversely mounted2 |
| Displacement | 1,275 cc / 1.3 LFactory: 1,275 cc2 |
| Bore | 70.61 mmFactory: 70.61 mm2 |
| Stroke | 81.28 mmFactory: 81.28 mm2 |
| Compression ratio | 9.4:12 |
| Fuel system | SU HIF 44 carburettor (sealed)2 |
| Induction | Garrett T3 turbocharger, ECU-controlled boost (max 7.5 psi at 6000 rpm)2 |
| Power | 70.1 kW / 95.3 PSFactory: 94 hp · converted2The history page quotes 94 bhp at 6200 rpm. |
| Power at | 6,130 rpm2 |
| Torque | 118 NmFactory: 87 lb-ft · converted2 |
| Torque at | 3,600 rpm2 |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual, single dry plate clutch2 |
|---|---|
| Gears | 42 |
| Gear ratios | 1st 3.647, 2nd 2.185, 3rd 1.425, 4th 1.0, reverse 3.6662 |
| Final drive | 3.21:12 |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Front 213 mm ventilated discs with AP four-pot calipers, servo; rear servo-assisted drums2 |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | 3.05 mFactory: 3.05 m2 |
| Width | 1.56 mFactory: 1.56 m2 |
| Height | 1.331 mFactory: 1.331 m2 |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 737.29 kgFactory: 737.29 kg2 |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 185 km/hFactory: 115 mph · converted2 |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 7.8 s2 |
| Standing ¼ mile | 16.6 s2Source writes "16:60 secs"; read as 16.60 s. |
| Fuel tank | 35 LFactory: 35 L2 |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Identifying features given by the maker: a tooled body kit with spoilers, specially made sports seats, VDO instruments in an all-new panel, Connolly hide trim, a sunroof, 6 x 13 in one-piece alloy wheels with 165/60 HR13 tyres, ventilated front discs with four-pot calipers, and a sealed SU HIF 44 carburettor with a Garrett T3 turbocharger.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
- 1
-
2
ERA Mini Turbo technical specification Level B eraturbo.co.uk (ERA Mini Turbo register site, Wayback capture)
- 4 cylinder inline OHV: Petrol, transversely mounted
- Displacement: 1275cc
- Bore Diam: 70.61mm
- Stroke: 81.28mm
- Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
- Carburettor: SU HIF 44 (sealed)
- Garrett T3 with ECU controlled boost pressure
- Maximum Power: 94bhp @ 6130rpm
- 94bhp @ 6130rpm
- Maximum Torque: 87lbs/ft @ 3600rpm
- 87lbs/ft @ 3600rpm
- 4 speed manual
- 1st: 3.647:1 2nd: 2.185:1
- Final Drive Ratio: 3.21:1
- 213mm Ventilated discs, AP 4 pot calipers, Servo assisted
- Length: 3.05m
- Width: 1.56m
- Height: 1.331m
- Kerbside Weight: 737.29Kg
- Max Speed: 115 mph
- 0-60 mph: 7.80 secs
- Standing 1/4 mile: 16:60 secs
- Fuel Tank: 35 litres
Keep exploring
More from ERA
-
ERA · 1934–1939
R12B/C "Hanuman"
1 Built
-
ERA · 1934–1939
R14B
1 Built
-
ERA · 1934–1939
R1A
1 Built
-
ERA · 1934–1939
R4D
1 Built
More from United Kingdom
-
MINI
John Cooper Works GP (F56, 2020)
Production not yet verified
-
TVR
TVR 350i
Production not yet verified
-
Daimler · 1975–1977
Sovereign 4.2 Coupé (XJ-C)
1,677 Built
-
Jensen
Interceptor Coupe (1975)
Production not yet verified
134 other makes from United KingdomACAiredaleAlan Mann RacingAllardAlvisArabArashArielArmstrong SiddeleyArrowsAscariAston MartinAtalantaAtlantisAustinAustin-HealeyBedfordBentleyBerkeleyBluebirdBMCBondBrabhamBristolBritish LeylandBroadspeedBrookeBrough SuperiorCampbell-RailtonCaparoCaterhamChevronConnaughtCooperCrayfordDaimlerDavid BrownDawsonDeLoreanDuttonAll makes →