Encor Series 1 Remasters the Lotus Esprit for the Carbon-Fibre Era

Fifty years after the Lotus Esprit stunned the 1975 Paris Motor Show, a new name steps forward to honour and elevate the icon for a modern audience. Encor has revealed the Series 1, a meticulous, carbon-fibre remastering of the original Esprit S1 that blends reverence for its lineage with the engineering standards of a contemporary supercar. Limited to just 50 individually commissioned builds, the Series 1 represents a rare fusion of design discipline, analogue purity and material sophistication.

Based in Chelmsford, UK, Encor approaches the Esprit not as a restomod but as a cultural artefact reinterpreted with modern capability. Former Lotus, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and Skyships Automotive talent contributed to the project, ensuring that every refinement is rooted in an understanding of the original car’s intent. Their guiding philosophy — “respectful enhancement” — is evident throughout, from the carbon-fibre bodywork to the reconstructed V8 powertrain and the carefully restrained use of modern technology inside the cabin.

Design Discipline: Perfecting a Legend Without Distorting It

The Series 1 begins with a full digital scan of an original Esprit, allowing Encor’s designers to resurface and refine the car’s geometry with contemporary precision. Tighter highlights, cleaner transitions and a more exacting approach to surface quality give the silhouette a new level of clarity, while retaining the unmistakable wedge shape that defined Giugiaro’s 1970s masterpiece.

The most dramatic transformation is the shift from the Esprit’s two-piece fibreglass mould to a seamless autoclaved carbon-fibre shell. Subtly widened arches accommodate modern tyres and brake cooling, and low-profile LED pop-up headlights maintain the early Esprit’s signature face while improving performance and airflow. Even the wheels pay homage to history, reinterpreting both the early slot-mag forms and the later Sport 350 five-spokes through billet machining and modern proportions.

Engineering for Today, Spirit of Yesterday

Underneath the full-carbon exterior, Encor intentionally retains the chassis and identity of the Esprit V8, providing continuity for both registration and character. The 3.5-litre twin-turbo engine is completely rebuilt with forged pistons, new turbochargers, modern injectors, an electronic throttle body, refreshed cooling hardware and a stainless exhaust system. Output rises to approximately 400 bhp and 350 lb ft, driving a target kerb weight under 1,200 kg — figures that place the Series 1 firmly in the realm of lightweight, analogue supercars. Projected performance includes 0-62 mph in around four seconds and a top speed near 175 mph.

Working with Quaife, Encor re-engineers the original five-speed manual transmission with strengthened internals, revised ratios, a helical LSD and a bespoke twin-plate clutch. Suspension is upgraded to Sport 350 specification, braking comes from AP Racing, and hydraulic steering is retained to preserve the feedback and tactility that defined the Esprit’s charm. The result is a driving experience shaped by immediacy, lightness and mechanical honesty.

A Cabin That Balances Memory and Modernity

Inside, the Esprit’s most recognisable cues remain intact: the deep seating position, the sweeping instrument binnacle and the period-correct tartan accents. Every component has been recreated from scratch with modern tolerances and materials. The standout feature is the floating instrument cluster, machined from a single billet of aluminium and wrapped around a compact digital display for clarity without compromising authenticity.

The carbon-fibre dashboard “T” consolidates essential controls, and the Skyships-developed infotainment, camera and climate systems are integrated discreetly, adding convenience without intruding on the car’s analogue soul. Seats are rebuilt, re-trimmed and subtly reshaped for improved long-distance comfort. Everywhere the driver looks or touches, the Series 1 expresses craftsmanship guided by restraint.

A Team Steeped in Esprit Heritage

Encor’s leadership has shaped some of the most significant sports cars of the last two decades, including the Lotus Emira and advanced programmes for Koenigsegg and Aston Martin. Skyships Automotive — now a specialist in cockpit electronics — brings a three-decade relationship with the Esprit to the project, tying contemporary innovation directly to the car’s long history.

Commissioning, Production and Availability

Only 50 Encor Series 1 cars will be built, each requiring a donor Lotus Esprit V8 and starting at £430,000 before taxes and options. Commissioning takes place at Encor’s Chelmsford headquarters or via private international consultation. Deliveries begin in Q2 2026 and continue into 2027. Buyers can explore initial configurations through Encor’s online visualiser.

A New Chapter for a 1970s Icon

The Encor Series 1 is more than a tribute. It represents a new benchmark for how iconic designs can be lifted into the present without losing their identity. For Tailored Driver readers, it offers a fascinating vision of what happens when a revered silhouette is treated not as nostalgia, but as a foundation for contemporary craftsmanship and clarity of purpose. A legend reborn — and a statement of where Encor intends to go next.