Encor plans a carbon fibre Lotus Esprit restomod

British brand Encor is doing a Lotus Esprit S1 restomod, featuring a carbon fibre body and V8 power.

Classic Lotus sports cars aren’t that popular as restomod material but Encor is now doing a Series 1 rebuild and update.

The firm is using the original series 1 Lotus Esprit as inspiration, and the Esprit V8 as the foundation. The Encor Series 1 will fashion the iconic body shape from carbon fibre. 

A team with experience in restoring high-end brands, including Lotus, is behind the Encor Series 1. They keep the backbone chassis of the original but replace the fibreglass body with a lighter, stiffer carbon fibre example.

They retain the Esprit’s Giugiaro-designed wedge shape, although the details have been refined. And project designer is Daniel Durrant, who was the lead stylist on the Lotus Emira.

Encor retains the pop-up headlights but these now utilise LED units. Where there was once a beefy front bumper, there is now a sunken panel housing auxiliary lights. The chin spoiler is new too.

The dividing line of the fibreglass car that encircled the Esprit will go, as will the original’s Marina-sourced door handles. 

The Esprit V8 is the donor car but Encor uses only its chassis, engine and gearbox. They rebuild the 3.5-litre, twin-turbo unit, which first emerged in 1996. The company says the new car will offer improved performance and better drivability.

While no interior images are to hand, the company says it has reinterpreted the cockpit with “leather, Alcantara, and machined aluminium”. Other new items include integrated Apple CarPlay, climate air, and 360-degree parking cameras.

Encor’s founder is Simon Lane who was previously at Q by Aston Martin. He said what sets Encor apart “is the way we treat the Esprit – not as a project, but as a responsibility. Progress should enhance, not replace.”

Full details will be available in due course. But the Series 1 won’t come cheap. The asking price is £430,000 excluding options, taxes, and the Esprit V8 donor vehicle. Encor is planning a run of 50 examples.