British company Encor has announced the Series 1, a contemporary reinterpretation of one of the most iconic sports cars in history, the Lotus Esprit. The project celebrates 50 years of the original concept, presented in the Salão of Paris in 1975, and will have production strictly limited to 50 units worldwide, guaranteeing a high level of exclusivity.
The vehicle stands out for replacing the original fiberglass body with a structure entirely made of carbon fiber. Essa modernization results in a stiffer and significantly lighter chassis, with the car’s total weight remaining below 1,200 kg. The design maintains the classic wedge-shaped lines, but incorporates current technologies, such as retractable headlights equipped with low-profile LEDs.
The mechanical base is inherited directly from the Lotus Esprit V8, using the original chassis that has undergone a complete restoration process. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine is completely rebuilt to deliver an estimated power of 400 hp. First deliveries of the Encor Series 1 are scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with a starting price set at GBP 430,000, which does not include the cost of the donor car.
A faithful reinterpretation in carbon fiber
To preserve the essence of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original design, the Encor team performed a complete scan of an Esprit to analyze and refine its shapes with the help of 3D modeling tools. The result is an autoclaved carbon monocoque body that eliminates the weld lines and joints visible on the old fiberglass structure, giving the Series 1 a cleaner, more precise appearance.
The new structure allowed for subtle adjustments that modernize the vehicle’s stance without detracting from its classic proportions. The wheel arches, for example, were given greater tension, while the shoulder line was more defined. The car’s overall stance has been slightly widened, a necessity to accommodate the wider, more efficient braking systems and tires befitting a modern supercar.
This detail-oriented approach ensures that the Series 1 maintains the visual identity that made the
The forged wheels were also designed as a tribute to the original Lotus designs, reinterpreting classic styles such as the five-spoke wheels of the Sport 350.
Improved power and drivability
The heart of the Encor Series 1 is the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which has undergone a complete rebuild to extract more performance and reliability. The process includes the installation of forged pistons, higher flow fuel injectors and remanufactured turbochargers. Além In addition, the entire cooling, feeding and exhaust system was redone with stainless steel components, increasing power to approximately 400 hp and torque to approximately 475 Nm. Essas modifications ensure more immediate response and consistent performance, even under heavy use.
The original five-speed manual transmission, one of the weak points of the Esprit V8, has been extensively reworked in partnership with specialist Quaife. The transmission received a more robust axle, revised gear ratios to make better use of power, a helical limited slip differential (LSD) and a customized double clutch. Essas updates resolve issues of durability and shifting accuracy, providing a more engaging and safe driving experience. The design philosophy prioritizes the analogue experience, maintaining the original hydraulic steering to ensure pure and direct feedback from the road, avoiding excessive electronic assistance that could dilute the connection between the driver and the car.
Classic interior with integrated technology
The cabin of the Series 1 has been completely redesigned to combine the ergonomics and style of the original Esprit with luxury materials and modern technology. The low driving position and the inclined dashboard, hallmarks of the model, have been preserved. However, each component has been rebuilt to a higher quality standard, using materials such as aluminum and carbon.
One of the highlights is the new instrument cluster, which appears to float in front of the driver. The part is machined from a single block of aluminum and integrates a modern digital display, which provides vital information in a clear and elegant way. The “T”-shaped central section, made of carbon fiber, concentrates the essential controls in an intuitive way, making them easy to access without distracting the driver.
The original seats also undergo a complete restoration process, receiving new foam to improve ergonomic support and high-quality coverings. Detalhes and the use of classic tartan fabric in some areas serve as a tribute to the heritage of Lotus. Tecnologias as an infotainment system, modern air conditioning and 360-degree cameras have been discreetly integrated, so as not to compromise the analogue, driving-focused character that defines the car.
The team behind the project
Encor was founded by a group of professionals with extensive experience in the high-performance automotive industry, including veterans with experience at renowned brands such as Lotus, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and Pagani. The project’s design director, for example, is a former Lotus employee who led the development of important models such as the Emira.
The team’s philosophy treats the Lotus Esprit not just as a car, but as a cultural heritage of motorsport. Therefore, the development approach was focused on respectful evolution, where each modification seeks to improve the purity of the original concept with a level of precision and build quality that was impossible to achieve in the 1970s.
Exclusivity and acquisition process
The production of the Encor Series 1 will be carried out by hand at the company’s facilities in Chelmsford, in Reino Unido. The schedule foresees that deliveries of the 50 units will begin in the second quarter of 2026 and extend until the end of 2027, reflecting the complexity and care dedicated to each example. The procurement process requires the customer to provide an Lotus Esprit V8 as a donor car, the original steel chassis of which is the only key part retained. Este chassis undergoes complete dismantling, blasting and total reconstruction, ensuring the continuity of the vehicle’s identity and its legality for registration. The base price of £430,000 does not include local taxes or the cost of the donor vehicle, and customers will have access to an extensive personalization program, which allows them to choose exclusive colors, finishes and other details, increasing the final value of the car. Consultations are conducted privately to serve a global clientele seeking a supercar that combines historic heritage with cutting-edge engineering.
The evolution of retractable headlights
One of the most iconic elements of the Lotus Esprit’s design, the pop-up headlights, has been retained but completely modernized in the Series 1. The Encor has developed a new system that integrates compact, high-performance LED projectors into low-profile housings. Essa innovative solution not only preserves the wedge-shaped front that defines the car’s silhouette, but also improves aerodynamics when the headlights are closed and offers nighttime lighting performance far superior to the original system.
Legacy and continuity
The original Esprit marked its time with a revolutionary design and memorable film appearances, becoming a pop culture icon. The Encor project seeks to extend this story to a new generation of enthusiasts, offering an idealized version of the car, which applies current technologies to overcome the limitations of 1970s engineering without distorting its essence. The Series 1 thus represents a controlled evolution, delivering the agile dynamics and lightness of the Lotus tradition with a contemporary level of refinement and performance.
