The Encor Series 1: A Glorious Revival of the Lotus Esprit for the Discerning Collector
For the automotive connoisseur who finds the ubiquitous Porsche 911 restomod landscape a touch too predictable, a thrilling new proposition has emerged. Enter the Encor Series 1, a breathtaking reinterpretation of the legendary Lotus Esprit. This isn’t merely a cosmetic update; it’s a profound reimagining, meticulously engineered to capture the spirit of the original while elevating it to contemporary standards of performance, safety, and build quality. For those with a substantial investment budget – think upwards of half a million dollars – and a yearning for something truly unique, the Encor Series 1 presents a compelling alternative, offering a blend of iconic design and cutting-edge automotive artistry that few can match.
A Symphony of Heritage and Innovation: The Encor Series 1 Philosophy
At its core, the Encor Series 1 is a celebration of Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s visionary engineering principles. It takes the celebrated chassis and the potent twin-turbo V-8 heart from the later, post-1998 Lotus Esprit V8 models and marries them with the unmistakable, sharp-edged aesthetic of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original 1976 four-cylinder Esprit. The result is a car that feels both deeply familiar and strikingly modern.
The transformation begins with a donor Esprit V8. Its original fiberglass body is carefully removed, making way for a bespoke, hand-crafted carbon-fiber shell. This new body is a masterful homage to Giugiaro’s iconic wedge shape, meticulously sculpted by Encor’s design director, Dan Durrant, a former Lotus designer himself. This approach allows Encor to pay homage to the past without being shackled by its limitations. The weight penalty compared to the original is minimal, with the Series 1 weighing barely more than a contemporary Mazda Miata. This focus on lightness is a direct nod to Chapman’s mantra: “Simplify, then add lightness.”
Beneath the Surface: Reinforcement and Refinement for Modern Performance
The structural integrity of the Encor Series 1 is paramount. The original steel backbone chassis is stripped down to bare metal, then galvanized to eliminate the rust concerns often associated with older British sports cars. This rigorous process ensures a robust foundation for the upgraded components. The suspension is meticulously rebuilt, incorporating new bushings throughout and adopting the specification of the most potent Esprit V8 variant, the Sport 350. While Encor largely retains original Lotus parts, including the hydraulic power steering system, they’ve engineered significantly stronger rear hub carriers. This critical upgrade addresses a known vulnerability of the Esprit V8, a chronic cracking issue that plagued the original cars, demonstrating Encor’s commitment to addressing even the most persistent flaws.
The legendary Lotus V-8 engine, internally known as the Type 918, undergoes a comprehensive overhaul. Stripped to its components, it’s rebuilt with forged pistons, upgraded fuel injectors, enhanced turbocharger internals, a new electronic throttle body, and modernized fuel and cooling systems. A bespoke stainless-steel exhaust system not only enhances performance but also provides a richer, more evocative soundtrack.
The five-speed transaxle, originally sourced from Renault by Lotus, has been subjected to a significant enhancement program in collaboration with transmission specialists Quaife. This collaboration has resulted in a stronger input shaft – a key contributor to the original engine’s output being detuned for production – revised gear ratios for improved responsiveness, a helical limited-slip differential for superior traction, and a lighter-action twin-plate clutch. These enhancements are not merely superficial; they directly address historical weaknesses and unlock the full potential of the V-8, promising a more engaging and reliable driving experience. This meticulous attention to the drivetrain ensures that the Encor Series 1 delivers exhilarating performance with a newfound level of durability.
A Design Masterclass: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
Dan Durrant’s design for the Encor Series 1 body is a masterstroke of automotive interpretation. While clearly referencing Giugiaro’s seminal wedge, it refines and simplifies the lines for a cleaner, more contemporary appearance. The original Esprit’s mid-body black stripe, a design element necessitated by the joining seams of its two-piece fiberglass body, is rendered obsolete by Encor’s one-piece carbon-fiber construction. This allows for unbroken, flowing bodysides and a more integrated look to the front and rear fascias.
Key visual cues remain, such as the flat roofline and the distinctive trapezoidal windshield, harkening back to the earliest Esprits. The subtle Kamm tail and the discrete front spoiler under the tapered nose are also faithfully recreated. Modern LED lighting discreetly integrates into the front and rear fascias, providing contemporary functionality without disrupting the classic aesthetic. A particularly striking element is the glass engine cover, allowing the V-8 to be displayed prominently, a feature reminiscent of the four-cylinder Esprit, adding a visual flourish often hidden away in lesser cars.
The choice of wheels is also crucial. Encor has opted for forged billet five-spoke designs, 17 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, shod with Bridgestone Potenza tires. This setup echoes the final Esprit V8 models and strikes a delicate balance, enhancing the car’s presence without overwhelming its proportions. “Wheels were a real topic of discussion,” Durrant notes. “Inflate the wheel size too much, and you can completely unbalance the visuals of the car. It starts to look like a toy.” Behind these period-correct, yet thoroughly modern wheels, AP Racing brakes provide formidable stopping power.
Subtle, yet instantly recognizable details, like the six small vents at the base of the windshield and the distinctive fuel filler inset into the left C-pillar, forge an immediate connection to the original Esprit. “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 in manufacturing, a direct benefit of the carbon-fiber construction, contributes significantly to the Encor Series 1’s premium feel and exceptional build quality.
Enhanced Safety and Structural Integrity
Beyond aesthetics, the carbon-fiber body offers a significant leap forward in terms of rigidity and safety. The original Esprit V8, remarkably, utilized a plywood firewall between the engine bay and the cabin – a stark contrast to the robust, double-layer carbon-fiber firewall employed by Encor. This advanced firewall seamlessly integrates with the car’s structure, forming part of a sophisticated passenger safety cell. Tubular carbon-fiber elements are incorporated into the cant rails of the roof, extending down the A-pillars to reinforce the dashboard and door structures, and are also cross-linked above the windshield, creating a formidable protective cocoon for occupants. This is a critical upgrade that modernizes the Esprit’s inherent safety characteristics, bringing it in line with contemporary supercar standards.
An Interior Sanctuary: Retro Charm Meets Modern Technology
The interior of the Encor Series 1 masterfully blends nostalgic charm with cutting-edge technology. The iconic two-spoke steering wheel and the distinctive center console architecture are faithfully preserved, providing an immediate sense of familiarity for anyone acquainted with the original Esprit. However, the materials and interfaces are decidedly modern.
The instrument panel is a prime example. The original Esprit’s free-standing pod is reinterpreted as a sleek, lightweight metal structure housing a state-of-the-art digital display at its center, flanked by smaller touchscreens on wings angled towards the driver. The center console also features a prominent portrait-format touchscreen, offering intuitive control over the vehicle’s various systems.
From a driver’s perspective, the ergonomics are intentionally preserved. The relationship between the steering wheel, shifter, and pedals remains identical to the original Esprit, ensuring that the tactile experience is authentic. The snugness of the cockpit, a characteristic of the original Esprit, is also maintained. While the Encor Series 1 boasts a longer wheelbase than a contemporary Porsche 911, its low-slung profile means headroom can be a consideration for taller individuals. Encor’s decision to retain original Lotus seat frames, not just for their lightness but also to ensure a suitable seating profile, underscores this commitment to authenticity.
Despite its compact dimensions, William Ives, Encor’s Managing Director, assures that the Series 1 will be a pleasure to live with. Standard amenities include air conditioning and a comprehensive infotainment system. This advanced system, along with the vehicle’s entire electrical architecture, has been developed by Skyships Automotive, Ives’ core business, which supplies similar sophisticated electronics to elite manufacturers like Aston Martin, McLaren, and Pagani. This means a significant departure from the historical reputation for electrical gremlins, with Encor offering a fully modern, reliable, and integrated electronic experience, right down to the electronic throttle control.
Performance Expectations and Limited Production
The vehicle showcased is the initial prototype, slated for rigorous testing to fine-tune the suspension and other systems. Given its reduced weight compared to a production Esprit V8, the spring and shock rates will require careful calibration. The original Esprit V8 was capable of a blistering 0-60 mph sprint in just over 4 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of around 10.2 seconds. With an anticipated weight reduction of some 400 pounds and an increase of 50 horsepower, the Encor Series 1 is projected to significantly eclipse these figures, with a claimed top speed of 175 mph. This performance enhancement, combined with the refined handling and braking, promises an exhilarating driving dynamic that honors the Esprit’s legendary reputation for agility.
Encor plans a strictly limited production run of just 50 units over two years, with manufacturing commencing in 2026. Importantly, the Encor Series 1 will be available in left-hand-drive configuration, catering to the significant U.S. market where nearly half of the original Esprit V8s were exported. This ensures a substantial pool of donor cars for American enthusiasts.
The base price, at current exchange rates, hovers around $570,000, excluding shipping, taxes, and the cost of the donor Esprit V8. While undeniably a significant investment, it places the Encor Series 1 firmly within the realm of ultra-luxury and bespoke automotive craftsmanship. It’s a price point that reflects the extensive engineering, bespoke fabrication, and the creation of a truly exclusive automotive masterpiece. For those who appreciate the exquisite blend of automotive history, cutting-edge engineering, and unparalleled exclusivity, the Encor Series 1 represents an opportunity to own a piece of automotive art that transcends mere transportation.
If you are ready to explore a new paradigm in bespoke automotive ownership and desire a vehicle that marries iconic design with unparalleled modern performance and craftsmanship, then the Encor Series 1 awaits. Discover how you can become part of this exclusive automotive renaissance and secure your place in the future of automotive legend.
