Been a while since I’ve been here, so here’s a (very nearly) classic Erin!
1992 Erin Merna (Mk 5)
The Mk 5 Merna is regarded as one of the best versions of the car ever made. Well priced, well designed and very popular, it came to be a vital part of Erin’s 90s era. It was also a significant change for the Merna; for the first time ever, it was a proper hatchback, not the micro-sedan body style it had been since 1961.
Entry level S trim Merna with basic front bumper design.
Work began on the hatchback in the late 80s as Erin planned to replace the Mk 4 version of the car. The aim was to make it the most practical and easy to use version of the car ever. It had the same wheelbase as the previous version, but was smaller overall. Yet, cabin space was increased, boot space was improved and the car remained just as light despite newer safety equipment.
Powering the car was a range of i4 and i5 engines (coming soon 
), which, although aren’t anything to write home about, were a mix of new blocks and reworked engines launched in the 1986-87 face lifting of the Erin range. Efficiency was average, but they were very usable and reliable, giving the car a very characterful feel. This would later be the first generation of Merna’s to feature a turbo engine when one was introduced in 1996.
Mid-range models came with chrome detailing and alloy wheels.
The rest of the car was very ‘normal’ for Erin, as in it was more mainstream than almost any car they’d ever made. Torsion beam rear suspension for one - it meant the car wasn’t as fun to drive as rivals, but it was practical. At last, it seemed, Erin had really learned to make a mainstream car for mainstream buyers.
Sales were consistently good as a result, and it became quite an icon during its time. It had a famous run in the BTCC as one of the only hatchbacks in the competition throughout the 90s, which paid dividends in the first few seasons it raced (until the rest of the competition worked out how to beat it). It was also the star of a aircraft carrier based advert that is widely regarded as the best advert Erin has ever made.
It was also turned into a bonkers hot hatch in the form of the Maula Merna, which was essentially the BTCC car only with plastic body panels and a catalytic converter.
The Maula Merna. The yellow paint was not optional.
This competent little car did well against the competition, and became a very popular second hand car in the early 2000s. It even has a low-key cult following from enthusiasts, despite hardly being an enthusiasts car, and is expected to become a classic in years to come.
This is the same Merna that competed in the Kinda Grand Tour with Team ‘Southend or Bust’