The ERA Mini Turbo was the company's first car since 1953, launched in time for the Mini's 30th anniversary in 1989. Based on a Mini City bodyshell supplied by Rover, it was fitted with an MG Metro Turbo engine, a full styling kit, revised suspension and a luxury interior. It also had special 13 inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres.

The result was a modern equivalent of the much-loved 1960s Mini Cooper S, providing thrilling performance, nimble handling and an exciting character.

The conversion was carried out with the full approval of the Rover Group and was marketed and serviced in Britain through the Rover dealer network. Some 436 ERA Mini Turbos were produced over a period of two years. The 'ERA' on this mini stands for Engineering and Research Application Limited but the original(and related) English Racing Automobiles Company was the marker of the highly successful ERA racing cars of the 1930s and 1940s.