Fifty years after the original Lotus Esprit captured imaginations at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, Encor has unveiled the Encor Series 1—a modern, carbon-fibre reinterpretation of one of the most iconic automotive designs ever created.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, Encor approached the Esprit as a piece of automotive heritage, pursuing what it calls “respectful enhancement”: preserving the original’s purity while updating its performance, craftsmanship, and usability for the modern era.
The Series 1 maintains the Esprit’s unmistakable wedge shape, now refined using digital scanning and a full carbon-fibre body. Highlights include uninterrupted body panels, sculpted wheelarches, low-profile LED pop-up headlights, and wheels inspired by classic Esprit designs but executed with modern precision.
Inside, the cockpit blends nostalgia and modernity: a machined aluminium floating instrument cluster, restored seats, tartan accents, and discreetly integrated climate and infotainment systems maintain the analogue spirit of the original.
Under the skin, the mid-mounted Esprit V8 has been fully re-engineered with forged pistons, upgraded turbos, modern fuel and cooling systems, and a stainless steel exhaust. Output reaches around 400 bhp and 350 lb ft of torque, propelling a sub-1,200 kg chassis from 0–62 mph in roughly four seconds.
The original five-speed manual transmission has been upgraded with a Quaife limited-slip differential, revised ratios, and a stronger input shaft for precision and durability, while suspension, brakes, and hydraulic steering are modernized without compromising driver engagement.
Encor Design’s team brings decades of experience from Lotus, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, and Skyships Automotive, combining design excellence, engineering expertise, and technological know-how.
Production of the Series 1 is limited to 50 individually commissioned cars, priced from £430,000 (excluding donor Esprit, taxes, and options), with deliveries starting in Q2 2026.
The Encor Series 1 is a celebration of the Esprit’s legacy: a car that is instantly recognizable yet fully modern, offering the performance, refinement, and craftsmanship that the original could only hint at.
