Encor unveils carbon-fibre reborn Lotus Esprit, costs plenty

British firm Encor has revealed an audacious revival of the original Lotus Esprit S1, unveiling the Encor Series 1; a carbon-fibre, ‘reimagined homage’ timed to honour 50 years since the wedge-shaped original debuted at the 1975 Paris Motor Show.

Limited to just 50 cars, the Series 1 takes the Esprit back to ‘first principles’, re-engineering the car from the ground up while keeping ‘the character and purity’ of Giugiaro’s original design. Encor calls its approach “respectful enhancement”, a philosophy that aims to improve the car using modern tools and craftsmanship without ‘diluting its heritage’.

Designed right

The project is led by former Lotus designer Daniel Durrant, who worked on the Emira before joining Encor. Apparently, the team began by digitally scanning an original Esprit, refining the geometry and ‘tightening the surfacing’ before creating an all-new autoclaved carbon-fibre body. Gone is the old two-piece fibreglass mould line; in its place is a seamless shell that ‘preserves every familiar proportion while sharpening the form’.

The stance is subtly wider to accommodate modern tyres and brake cooling, and the pop-up headlights remain though now use slim LED projectors for a cleaner, more aerodynamic face. Even the wheels have been reinterpreted, drawing from classic slot-mag and Sport 350 designs.

Built like a modern supercar, true to its analogue roots

Underneath the new body sits the backbone chassis of a donor Esprit V8 (retained for identity and continuity) before undergoing a full restoration and mechanical reinvention. The mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbo V8 is rebuilt with forged internals, new injectors, modern cooling systems and remanufactured turbochargers. Power is now around 300kW, while they are targeting a kerb weight under 1200kg. Encor expects 0–100 km/h in roughly four seconds and a top speed near 280km/h.

The five-speed manual, re-engineered with Quaife, gains a strengthened input shaft, revised ratios, a helical LSD and a bespoke twin-plate clutch. The suspension is upgraded to Sport 350 spec, AP Racing supplies the brakes, and hydraulically assisted steering is retained.

“Lightness and tactility guide every decision,” says Technical Director Mike Dickison. “It delivers the analogue purity people remember, with capability the original never had.”

Cabin blends nostalgia with modern craft

Inside, the Series 1 keeps the Esprit’s signature cues: the steeply raked dash, the wraparound binnacle and the tartan highlights. Everything is said to be rebuilt and elevated. The new machined-aluminium instrument cluster integrates a digital display while maintaining ‘the structural look’ of the original. Controls sit within a carbon-fibre “T” section, seats are re-trimmed and re-foamed, and Skyships, an electronics specialist, has discreetly integrated infotainment, cameras and climate systems.

“This car is analogue at heart,” says co-founder Simon Lane. “The technology supports the experience rather than shouting over it.”

Limited to 50 cars, with deliveries from 2026

Encor will build 50 Series 1s, each requiring a donor Esprit V8. Pricing starts at £430,000 before taxes and options, with commissioning available in Chelmsford or via private consultation for overseas buyers. Deliveries begin in Q2 2026 and will run through 2027.