Lotus Esprit Reborn as the Encor Series 1

A wedge icon reborn

Half a century after the Lotus Esprit S1 stunned Paris, a British startup named Encor is bringing the landmark shape back to life. Its creation, the Encor Series 1, revives the razor-edged profile while delivering the speed, precision, and dependability today’s supercar buyers expect. The result aims to honor Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s mantra of lightness, yet it steps firmly into the modern era.

The Series 1 is not a simple makeover. Instead, it is a complete, engineering-led remaster of the Giugiaro-designed original, built around a later Lotus Esprit V8 donor. Therefore, it blends the first Esprit’s purity with the later car’s muscle and structure. For enthusiasts who loved the look but wanted more grit and polish, this is a compelling answer.

Moreover, the project arrives with intent. Industry veterans from high-end brands shaped the vision, and they set out to elevate a classic without dulling its soul.

Faithful shape, modern materials

The Encor Series 1 mirrors the Series 1’s lines with obsessive accuracy. Yet it replaces the early car’s fiberglass body with a newly molded carbon-fiber shell. As a result, the panels sit straighter, fit tighter, and weigh less. The famous mid-’70s wedge remains, but its surfaces look crisper and more cohesive. Crucially, the carbon construction also removes the old car’s prominent body join.

Under the skin, Encor starts with an Esprit V8 donor chassis. This choice preserves Lotus geometry and dynamics while creating a path to register the finished car as a Lotus in many markets. It also gives the program a proven base for power and safety. Consequently, the Series 1 retains the brand DNA that defined the original.

Weight saving sits at the heart of the transformation. However, the company avoided gimmicks. The aim was simple: keep the Esprit’s silhouette and sharpen everything behind it.

Engineering for performance and reliability

Power comes from Lotus’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged Type 918 V8. Encor strips, rebuilds, and upgrades the engine to enhance output and drivability. Stronger internals, refined cooling, and modern engine management stand behind the promised step in durability. Therefore, it addresses the weaknesses that once tempered the Esprit’s reputation.

Chassis and aero see equal focus. Using contemporary CAD tools, Encor has refined airflow to increase stability and cooling without disturbing the signature wedge. The pop-up headlights, a S1 hallmark, give way to compact LED projectors that cut drag and add brightness. Additionally, braking, suspension, and bushings receive modern hardware and tuning.

On the road, the goal is clarity and confidence. Steering feel should stay alive, as Lotus intended. Yet response and refinement move into current supercar territory. Thus, the Series 1 promises to drive like a new car while looking like a design icon.

A reimagined cockpit

Inside, the “wraparound” cockpit returns with a cleaner architecture and premium touchpoints. Leather and Alcantara sit alongside machined metal, while the shapes echo the original car’s driver-first ethos. The dated plastics and switches are gone. In their place, you get tight tolerances, tactile controls, and a cockpit that feels crafted.

Technology integrates with restraint. An infotainment suite supports Apple CarPlay, yet it does not dominate the dashboard. A 360-degree camera system eases low-speed maneuvers. Modern climate control and improved sound insulation add comfort for longer trips. Furthermore, seating and driving position have been reworked to suit more drivers without losing the low-slung supercar feel.

The effect is familiar but new. You recognize the Esprit’s character the moment you sit down. However, the cabin now meets the standards buyers expect from boutique performance brands.

The people, the program, and the price

Encor’s leadership brings deep experience in limited-run, high-performance builds. Co-founder Simon Lane previously led Lotus Advanced Performance and worked on bespoke programs at Aston Martin Lagonda. Team members have pedigrees from Pagani, Koenigsegg, Porsche, and Lotus. Consequently, the Series 1 is treated less like a curiosity and more like a responsibility.

Production will be capped at 50 cars. Each example is built to order, with extensive personalization available. As with most coachbuilt projects, exclusivity and craftsmanship carry a premium. Pricing starts at £430,000 (about $525,000), before taxes, options, and the cost of the donor car. Additionally, Encor’s use of a Lotus base allows many owners to register the finished car as a Lotus, which can simplify paperwork and preserve brand lineage.

This restomod is not aimed at nostalgia alone. Instead, it positions a beloved silhouette in a modern performance context. For collectors who value design history and dynamic credibility, the Series 1 offers both. And for drivers who want the Esprit’s drama without period compromises, it presents a rare, well-judged opportunity.

Fifty years on, the Esprit’s edges still cut through traffic and time. Now, they do so with a carbon sheen, a stronger heart, and the polish the original always deserved.