Reimagining Automotive Excellence: The Encor Series 1 – A Modern Masterpiece Born from Lotus Heritage
For the discerning collector and performance aficionado weary of the ubiquitous Porsche 911 restomod circuit, a new contender has emerged, poised to redefine automotive artistry. The Encor Series 1, a breathtaking reinterpretation of the iconic Lotus Esprit, offers a compelling proposition for those seeking something truly exceptional, a blend of historical reverence and cutting-edge engineering. This isn’t merely a vintage car revival; it’s a profound evolution, meticulously crafted for the modern era. With an expected half-million-dollar investment, the Encor Series 1 promises a driving experience that transcends the ordinary, a testament to automotive passion and ingenuity.
At its heart, the Encor Series 1 is a symphony of performance and design. It tips the scales at a remarkably scant 300 pounds more than a nimble Mazda Miata, a feat achieved through extensive use of advanced materials. Its powerplant is a marvel: a twin-turbocharged, quad-cam, flat-plane-crank V-8 engine, mid-mounted to perfection. This potent unit churns out a formidable 400 horsepower, delivered to the rear wheels via a precision-engineered five-speed manual transmission. The result is a vehicle that embodies Colin Chapman’s original vision of lightweight, driver-focused performance, elevated to an unprecedented level of refinement and build quality. This is the Lotus Esprit that its visionary founder might have only dared to dream of producing.
The genesis of the Encor Series 1 lies in a sophisticated fusion of hardware and design. It ingeniously integrates key components from the post-1998 Lotus Esprit V8 with the timeless design language of the original four-cylinder 1976 Esprit, a masterpiece penned by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro. The foundation of this extraordinary project is deeply rooted in Chapman’s pioneering engineering ethos. In essence, Encor meticulously procures an Esprit V8 donor car, carefully removes its original glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) body, and then unveils the robust steel backbone chassis. This chassis, a testament to Lotus’s structural integrity, is then revitalized and serves as the bedrock for an exquisitely sculpted carbon-fiber body, a striking homage to Giugiaro’s original vision, meticulously reinterpreted by Encor’s design team.
The execution of this ambitious undertaking is, by necessity, far more intricate than a simple cosmetic overhaul. The donor car’s engine, suspension, and ancillary systems are carefully detached. The steel backbone chassis, stripped to its bare metal, undergoes a crucial galvanization process. This essential step, a welcome departure from the rust-prone nature of many vintage British automobiles, ensures longevity and structural soundness. The suspension system is then meticulously upgraded to mirror the specifications of the highly acclaimed Sport 350 – the ultimate iteration of the Esprit V8 – and reassembled with brand-new, high-performance bushings. While predominantly utilizing original Lotus components, including the precise hydraulic power steering, Encor has ingeniously engineered stronger rear hub carriers. This critical enhancement addresses a long-standing and well-documented Achilles’ heel of the Esprit V8, namely the susceptibility of its rear hubs to cracking under stress.
Rebuilt, Reinforced, and Ready for Exhilarating Performance
The soul of the Encor Series 1 resides within its meticulously revitalized 3.5-liter Lotus V-8 engine, originally designated Type 918. This powerplant undergoes a complete strip-down and comprehensive rebuild, incorporating forged pistons for enhanced durability, upgraded fuel injectors for optimal delivery, new turbocharger internals for sustained boost, a modern electronic throttle body for instantaneous response, and fully modernized fuel and cooling systems. A bespoke stainless-steel exhaust system not only contributes to the engine’s refined performance but also delivers a thrilling auditory experience. The five-speed transaxle, originally a collaboration between Lotus and Renault, has been subjected to a significant collaborative enhancement with the expertise of renowned transmission specialists, Quaife. This collaborative effort has resulted in a strengthened input shaft, revised gear ratios for improved driveability, a sophisticated helical limited-slip differential for enhanced traction, and a dual-plate clutch for lighter pedal action and superior engagement.
The reinforced input shaft is a direct countermeasure to a persistent weakness in the original drivetrain. This inherent limitation necessitated Lotus engineers dialing back the Type 918’s output from a potential 500 horsepower to a more conservative 350 horsepower upon the Esprit V8’s debut in 1996. The integration of the twin-plate clutch system, a significant upgrade, drastically reduces pedal effort, making this potent machine far more accessible and enjoyable for everyday driving, a crucial aspect for any luxury sports car restoration.
Honoring Giugiaro Without Being Ensnared by the Past
While the Encor Series 1 undeniably retains a profound visual connection to Giugiaro’s seminal design, the evolution of the Esprit’s bodywork over its production life presented a unique opportunity. Initially restyled by Peter Stevens, the designer behind the iconic McLaren F1, and subsequently refined by Julian Thomson, who later contributed to the development of the Lotus Elise before embarking on a distinguished career at Jaguar Land Rover, the Esprit’s form had evolved considerably. The Encor Series 1’s bodywork, expertly shaped by Encor’s design director, Dan Durrant – a former Lotus designer himself – represents a masterful distillation of Giugiaro’s original sharp-edged, wedge-shaped concept, first unveiled at the 1972 Turin Motor Show. As Durrant eloquently puts it, “We’re not handcuffed by the original, but we’re completely inspired by it.”
The judicious application of carbon fiber has empowered Durrant to streamline and simplify the car’s overall aesthetic, bringing it demonstrably closer to Giugiaro’s 1972 vision in both its purest form and its finer details. The prominent black dividing line that encircled the original Esprit’s midsection, for instance, served a functional purpose: it effectively concealed the external flanges used to join the upper and lower halves of the original two-piece GRP body. The Encor car’s seamless, single-piece carbon-fiber construction eliminates this necessity, affording remarkably smooth bodysides and a cleaner, less cluttered appearance around the front and rear fascias. This meticulous attention to detail is a hallmark of premium automotive restyling.
Durrant’s design thoughtfully incorporates the flat roofline and the distinctive trapezoidal windshield that characterized the original Esprit – a departure from the subtle crowning introduced in Peter Stevens’ redesign. The subtle Kamm tail and the discreet front spoiler integrated beneath the tapered nose are also faithfully rendered. The front and rear fascias are notably cleaner and more minimalist compared to their production Esprit V8 counterparts, featuring contemporary LED lighting elements at the front and complementary LED taillights at the rear. In the production Esprit V8, the engine was typically concealed beneath a utilitarian cover positioned between the buttressed C-pillars. In stark contrast, the Encor Series 1 proudly showcases its V-8 powerplant beneath a transparent glass backlight, echoing the captivating presentation of the four-cylinder engine in the 1976 model.
The striking five-spoke, forged billet wheels, measuring 17 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, are shod with generously sidewalled Bridgestone Potenza tires – a configuration deliberately chosen to echo that found on the final iterations of the Esprit V8. “Wheels were a real topic of discussion,” Durrant confides. “Inflate the wheel size too much, and you can completely unbalance the visuals of the car. It starts to look like a toy.” Peeking from behind these exquisite wheels, within apertures that are essentially scaled-up renditions of the original Esprit’s five-slot Wolfrace alloys, are high-performance AP Racing brakes, ensuring exceptional stopping power that matches the car’s exhilarating performance.
Two subtle yet profoundly significant design elements immediately forge a visual kinship between the Encor Series 1 and its progenitor for any devoted Lotus aficionado: the six small vents artfully positioned at the base of the windshield and the distinctive, inset fuel filler cap located on the left C-pillar. “The silhouette and the key shapes on the car are very, very close to the Giugiaro original, but refined and honed in every way,” Durrant explains. “We’ve made just small adjustments here and there to add elements that wouldn’t have been possible when the car was originally produced. And because carbon fiber is such a robust and dimensionally accurate material, it means that we can do the things that customers want, like nice tight shut gaps and flush mounted glass.” This precision engineering is a key differentiator in the bespoke vehicle manufacturing landscape.
The adoption of the carbon-fiber body brings with it a cascade of other crucial advantages, including significant enhancements in structural rigidity and occupant safety. Until its cessation of production in 2004, the Esprit V8 employed a rather rudimentary plywood firewall separating the engine bay from the passenger compartment. The Encor Series 1, however, features a sophisticated double-layer carbon-fiber firewall, seamlessly integrated with the cant rails of the roof. These cant rails, in turn, house tubular carbon-fiber elements that extend downwards along each side of the windshield, connecting to the underlying structure supporting the dashboard and doors. Furthermore, they are interconnected across the top of the windshield, forming a robust passenger safety cell. This advanced structural design is a paramount consideration for any high-performance sports car conversion.
A Retro Cabin Infused with Modern Technology
Mirroring the exterior’s thoughtful homage, the interior of the Encor Series 1 pays fervent tribute to the original Esprit. This is most evident in the adoption of the iconic two-spoke steering wheel and the architectural layout of the center console. However, these classic elements are now seamlessly interwoven with premium materials and cutting-edge technologies that bestow a decidedly modern character. The instrument panel serves as a prime example of this masterful blend. The freestanding, wraparound pod of the original Esprit is reimagined as a sleek, lightweight metal structure, crowned by a state-of-the-art digital display at its core. Flanking this central screen are smaller, highly responsive touchscreens, artfully angled towards the driver to create an immersive command center. The center console itself features a striking portrait-format touchscreen, providing intuitive control over various vehicle functions.
From the driver’s perspective, every tactile interaction within the Encor Series 1 – the precise relationship between the steering wheel, the gear shifter, and the pedals – remains deliberately identical to that of the original Esprit. This meticulous preservation of the driving feel is indeed welcome news. However, the inherent compactness of the original Esprit’s cabin presents a notable characteristic: it’s a cozy fit. Despite boasting a wheelbase 6.6 inches longer than a contemporary Porsche 911, the original Esprit was a full 8 inches lower in height. Consequently, headroom can be a premium for individuals exceeding six feet in stature. One of the strategic decisions by Encor to utilize the original Lotus seat frames in their Series 1 was not solely due to their inherent lightness, but also because most modern seating solutions were simply too tall to accommodate within the cabin’s constraints. This attention to detail is crucial for classic car modernization.
Despite the intimate cabin dimensions, Encor Managing Director, William Ives, confidently asserts that the Encor Series 1 will prove remarkably easy to live with. Beyond the inclusion of climate control, the vehicle will be outfitted with a comprehensive infotainment system. This system, featuring premium audio components, has been entirely designed and engineered by Ives’ primary enterprise, Skyships Automotive. This esteemed company is renowned for supplying similar bespoke equipment to elite, low-volume automotive manufacturers such as Aston Martin, McLaren, and Pagani, underscoring the Encor Series 1’s exclusive automotive build pedigree. Furthermore, any lingering apprehensions associated with the infamous Lucas “Prince of Darkness” electrical systems of yesteryear can be definitively laid to rest. The Encor Series 1’s entire electrical architecture, right down to the new electronic throttle body, has been meticulously designed by Skyships, representing the pinnacle of modern automotive electrical engineering.
The vehicle showcased is the inaugural prototype, poised to embark on an intensive testing regimen that will focus on fine-tuning the suspension calibration. Given its significantly reduced weight compared to a production-spec Esprit V8, the spring and shock absorber rates will require precise adjustment, alongside comprehensive final system checks and calibrations. The production Esprit V8 demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving 0-60 mph in a brisk 4.1 seconds and 0-100 mph in 10.2 seconds, culminating in a quarter-mile time of 12.7 seconds at 112 mph. With the Encor Series 1 anticipated to weigh approximately 400 pounds less than its production counterpart and boasting an additional 50 horsepower, it is projected to eclipse these figures, accelerating with even greater ferocity en route to its ambitious claimed top speed of 175 mph. This level of performance tuning is what sets apart specialty car fabrication.
Encor intends to produce a strictly limited run of just 50 vehicles over a two-year period, with production scheduled to commence in 2026. Importantly, the Encor Series 1 will be available in a left-hand-drive configuration, catering to a global market. Of the approximately 1,400 Esprit V8 models produced, nearly half were exported to the United States, ensuring a healthy pool of suitable donor cars for American enthusiasts eager to embark on this transformative journey. The projected base price, at current exchange rates, stands at approximately $570,000, exclusive of shipping, taxes, and the acquisition cost of the donor Esprit V8. It is undeniable that this represents a significant investment. However, when juxtaposed with the engineering prowess, meticulous craftsmanship, and unparalleled exclusivity offered, it stands as a compelling proposition for those seeking the ultimate expression of automotive artistry and performance, a truly limited edition sports car.
If you are an individual who appreciates the pinnacle of automotive design, the thrill of raw performance, and the legacy of iconic machinery, the Encor Series 1 represents an unparalleled opportunity. We invite you to explore the possibilities of owning a piece of automotive history, reimagined for the 21st century. Contact Encor today to discuss how you can secure your place among the select few who will experience this extraordinary automotive masterpiece.
