The Encor Series 1: A Breathtaking Resurgence of the Lotus Esprit
Keywords: Lotus Esprit restomod, Encor Series 1, V8 supercar, classic car restoration, bespoke automotive, high-performance vehicles, luxury sports cars, supercar enthusiast, automotive innovation, carbon fiber supercar, vintage automotive revival, twin-turbo V8, flat-plane crank, Giorgetto Giugiaro design, Colin Chapman legacy, modern automotive technology, limited production cars, collectible cars, performance car upgrades, vintage car conversion.
For the discerning collector who finds the ubiquitous Porsche 911 restomod offerings a touch too familiar, a new star has emerged, promising to reignite the passion for automotive artistry and raw performance. The Encor Series 1, a magnificent reinterpretation of the legendary Lotus Esprit, stands poised to capture the imagination of those seeking an unparalleled blend of iconic heritage and cutting-edge engineering. Imagine a machine that tips the scales at a mere 300 pounds more than a nimble Mazda Miata, yet unleashes the fury of a 400-horsepower, quad-cam, flat-plane-crank V-8. This is not just a car; it’s a statement, a meticulously crafted testament to automotive excellence, capable of a thrilling 175 mph.
This ambitious project transcends mere restoration. It represents a profound reimagining, seamlessly merging the potent hardware of the post-1998 Lotus Esprit V8 with the ethereal design language of the original four-cylinder 1976 Esprit, penned by the visionary Giorgetto Giugiaro. At its heart lies the spirit of Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, whose relentless pursuit of innovation and lightness has been the guiding principle for Encor. In essence, Encor takes a donor Esprit V8, carefully divorces its original glass-reinforced plastic body from its robust steel backbone chassis, and replaces it with a breathtakingly rendered homage in carbon fiber, designed to echo Giugiaro’s genius.
The process is far more intricate than this simplification suggests. The donor chassis, stripped of its engine, suspension, and ancillary components, is meticulously restored. The steel backbone undergoes a complete bare-metal refurbishment, followed by galvanization – a critical step that mitigates the rust concerns often associated with older British automotive creations. Subsequently, the suspension is comprehensively upgraded to mirror the specifications of the formidable Sport 350, the ultimate iteration of the Esprit V8. New bushings are fitted throughout, breathing new life into the venerable underpinnings. While predominantly utilizing original Lotus components, including the precise hydraulic power steering, Encor has engineered stronger rear hub carriers, addressing a persistent vulnerability that has historically plagued the Esprit V8. This focus on reinforcing critical areas underscores the commitment to creating a vehicle that is not only beautiful but also built to endure the rigors of modern performance.
Rebuilt, Reinforced, and Ready for the Apex
The soul of the Encor Series 1 resides within its extensively revitalized 3.5-liter Lotus V-8 engine, originally designated the Type 918. Each unit is subjected to a complete strip-down and meticulous rebuild. Forged pistons, upgraded fuel injectors, enhanced turbocharger internals, a new electronic throttle body, and thoroughly modernized fuel and cooling systems are integrated, culminating in a new, performance-tuned stainless-steel exhaust. The five-speed transaxle, a unit originally sourced from Renault by Lotus, has undergone a collaborative enhancement with the renowned transmission specialists at Quaife. This collaboration has resulted in a reinforced input shaft – a crucial upgrade to address a historical weak point that necessitated a reduction in the Type 918’s original 500 hp output to 350 hp at the Esprit V8’s launch. Furthermore, revised gear ratios, a sophisticated helical limited-slip differential, and a twin-plate clutch have been incorporated. The latter not only enhances durability but also contributes to a significantly lighter and more engaging clutch pedal feel, a welcome refinement for any performance driving enthusiast.
Honoring Giugiaro’s Vision, Unbound by the Past
While retaining a profound visual connection to Giugiaro’s original masterpiece, the Encor Series 1 transcends mere replication. By the time the V8 variant arrived, the Esprit’s bodywork had evolved under the skilled hands of Peter Stevens, whose portfolio includes the iconic McLaren F1, and later Julian Thomson, who contributed to the seminal Lotus Elise before his impactful tenure at Jaguar Land Rover. The Encor Series 1’s body, conceived by Encor’s design director Dan Durrant – a former Lotus designer himself – represents a masterful distillation of Giugiaro’s sharp, wedge-shaped 1972 concept. Durrant articulates this philosophy with clarity: “We’re not handcuffed by the original,” he states, “but we’re completely inspired by it.”
The adoption of a carbon-fiber body has empowered Durrant to refine and simplify the car’s overall aesthetic, bringing it into closer alignment with Giugiaro’s original 1972 vision in both form and detail. The prominent black stripe that encircled the original Esprit’s midsection, for instance, served a functional purpose: concealing the external flanges required to join the upper and lower halves of the original two-piece glass-reinforced plastic body. The Encor’s single-piece carbon-fiber construction affords seamless bodysides and a more elegantly understated treatment of the front and rear fascias.
Durrant’s design thoughtfully preserves the flat roofline and the distinctive trapezoidal windshield, elements present in the original Giugiaro form (the Peter Stevens redesign introduced a subtle curvature to the roof). The subtle Kamm tail and the discreet front spoiler, integrated beneath the tapered nose, are also faithfully rendered. The front and rear fascias are cleaner and more integrated than those of the original Esprit, featuring modern LED lighting elements at the front and complementary taillights at the rear. In the original Esprit V8, the engine was concealed beneath a utilitarian cover situated between the buttressed C-pillars. In stark contrast, the Encor Series 1 proudly displays its V-8 heart beneath a transparent rear glass panel, a direct nod to the four-cylinder models of 1976.
The meticulously crafted, five-spoke forged billet wheels, sized 17 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, are shod with generously proportioned Bridgestone Potenza tires – a configuration reminiscent of the final Esprit V8 models. Durrant elaborates on the wheel design, a point of considerable discussion: “Wheels were a real topic of discussion. 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 striking wheels, the apertures of which are elegantly scaled versions of the original Esprit’s five-slot Wolfrace alloys, are potent AP Racing brakes, ensuring formidable stopping power.
Two subtle design cues instantly connect the Encor Series 1 to its progenitor for dedicated Lotus enthusiasts: the six diminutive vents 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.”
The advantages conferred by the new carbon-fiber body extend beyond aesthetics. Significant enhancements in structural rigidity and occupant safety are paramount. It bears mention that the production Esprit V8, until its discontinuation in 2004, featured a plywood firewall – a somewhat startling material choice for a performance car. The Encor Series 1, however, boasts a double-layer carbon-fiber firewall that seamlessly integrates with the cant rails of the roof. These elements, containing tubular carbon-fiber reinforcements, extend down either side of the windshield to the supporting structure for the dashboard and doors. Furthermore, they are interconnected across the top of the windshield, forming a robust safety cell for occupants, a testament to Encor’s commitment to modern safety standards.
A Retro-Inspired Cabin, Enhanced by Modern Ingenuity
The interior of the Encor Series 1 echoes the exterior’s design philosophy, paying homage to the original Esprit’s iconic two-spoke steering wheel and the fundamental architecture of its center console. However, this retro aesthetic is elevated by the judicious integration of contemporary materials and cutting-edge technology. The instrument panel exemplifies this fusion. The original Esprit’s free-standing, wraparound binnacle 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 touchscreens, subtly angled towards the driver, offering intuitive control. The center console itself features a striking portrait-format touchscreen, further enhancing the driver’s interface.
From the driver’s perspective, the tactile experience and spatial relationships of the Encor Series 1 – the interplay between the steering wheel, gear shifter, and pedals – remain remarkably faithful to the original Esprit. This fidelity to the driving feel is undoubtedly a significant draw. However, the reality of the Esprit’s compact dimensions persists; the cabin remains an intimate space. Despite a wheelbase that is 6.6 inches longer than a contemporary Porsche 911, the original Esprit stood a full 8 inches lower. Consequently, headroom is a premium consideration, particularly for individuals exceeding six feet in height. Encor’s decision to retain the original Lotus seat frames in the Series 1 was driven not only by their inherent lightness but also by the practical constraint that most modern aftermarket seats would prove too tall for the available space.
Despite these inherent spatial challenges, Encor Managing Director William Ives assures potential owners that the Encor Series 1 is designed for a surprisingly user-friendly ownership experience. Beyond the inclusion of air conditioning, the vehicle will be outfitted with a comprehensive infotainment system. This advanced setup, featuring premium audio, has been meticulously designed and engineered by Ives’ primary enterprise, Skyships Automotive, a company renowned for supplying similar sophisticated electronic solutions to elite, low-volume manufacturers such as Aston Martin, McLaren, and Pagani. Furthermore, the lingering specter of Lucas electrics – often referred to as “The Prince of Darkness” in automotive folklore – is entirely banished. The Encor Series 1’s entire electrical architecture, right down to the sophisticated electronic throttle body, has been conceived and implemented by Skyships, representing the pinnacle of modern automotive electrical systems.
The vehicle presented here is the inaugural prototype, poised to embark on rigorous testing protocols to fine-tune the suspension dynamics. Given its reduced weight compared to a production-spec Esprit V8, the spring and shock rates will necessitate precise calibration, alongside comprehensive final systems checks and calibrations. The production Esprit V8 achieved an impressive 0–60 mph sprint in 4.1 seconds and reached 0–100 mph in 10.2 seconds, completing the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds at 112 mph. With an anticipated weight reduction of approximately 400 pounds and an increase of 50 horsepower over its progenitor, the Encor Series 1 is projected to surpass these figures, accelerating with even greater ferocity en route to its claimed top speed of 175 mph.
Encor’s ambitious production plan targets a limited run of just 50 vehicles over a two-year period, with manufacturing commencing in 2026. Crucially for enthusiasts in North America, the Encor Series 1 will be available in left-hand-drive configuration. Of the approximately 1,400 Esprit V8 models produced, nearly half were exported to the United States, ensuring a healthy supply of donor vehicles for American collectors and enthusiasts. The base price, subject to prevailing exchange rates, hovers around $570,000, excluding shipping, taxes, and the acquisition cost of a suitable Esprit V8 donor car. This is, undeniably, a significant investment. However, when juxtaposed with the engineering depth, meticulous craftsmanship, and exclusive nature of a 911 restomod at a comparable level, the Encor Series 1 presents a compelling proposition for those who value true automotive individuality and heritage.
For those who believe the pinnacle of automotive passion lies in the fusion of timeless design and exhilarating performance, the Encor Series 1 offers an unparalleled opportunity. To explore how this extraordinary revival can become a part of your personal automotive legacy, we invite you to connect with our specialists for a bespoke consultation and to discover the next steps in acquiring this automotive masterpiece.