Fifty years after Giugiaro’s angular masterpiece debuted at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, the Lotus Esprit S1 still turns heads. But beyond that wedge-shaped body lies a more complicated story — one of compromised cooling, modest power, and questionable reliability. Now, a new British outfit called Encor is stepping in to address all of that while keeping the original’s purity intact. Built around a donor Esprit V8 chassis, the Encor Series 1 pairs modern carbon fiber construction with a thoroughly rebuilt 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8, targeting just 50 builds worldwide.
Carbon Fiber, Digital Precision
Encor’s design team led by Daniel Durrant, former lead designer on the Lotus Emira, laser-scanned an original S1 and refined its geometry using modern CAD tools. The result is a seamless, autoclaved carbon fiber shell that sharpens the highlights and eliminates the two-piece mold line of the original fiberglass body. It’s wider now to accommodate modern tires and brake cooling, but the proportions remain unmistakably Esprit. Even the pop-up headlights stick around, now fitted with compact LED projectors.
Upgraded Performance Specs
The mid-mounted V8 gets forged pistons, upgraded injectors, remanufactured turbochargers, and a stainless exhaust, pushing output to around 400hp and 350lb.ft of torque. With a curb weight under 2,650lbs, the Series 1 has an expected 0-60 sprint of about four seconds and a top speed near 175 mph. More importantly, Encor’s chief engineer Will Ives says the setup favors compliance and balance over raw aggression, keeping the Esprit’s character front and center.
A Hydraulic Holdout
Inside, Encor honors the S1’s cockpit-like layout with a machined aluminum instrument binnacle wrapped around a digital display, tartan upholstery, and a five-speed manual transmission rebuilt with Quaife internals. The steering stays hydraulically assisted rather than electric, preserving the tactile feel that made the original so special. Modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and 360-degree cameras are discreetly integrated using Skyships’ electrical architecture — the same system found in GMA and Pagani models.
Spec Sheet
Model: Encor Series 1
Engine: 3.5L twin-turbo V8
Power: 400 hp, 350 lb-ft torque
0-60 mph: ~4.0 seconds
Top Speed: 175 mph
Weight: Under 2,650 lbs
Transmission: 5-speed manual (Quaife-upgraded)
Price: ~$571,938 (excluding donor Esprit)
Pricing & Availability
Production on the Encor Lotus Esprit Series 1 is capped at 50 cars worldwide, with prices starting at £430,000 (~$571,938) plus the required donor Esprit V8. Commissioning takes place at Encor’s Chelmsford headquarters or via private consultation for international clients. Deliveries begin in Q2 2026 and run through 2027. You can configure your own via Encor’s online tool.
Recap
Encor Lotus Esprit Series 1
British restomod firm Encor unveils the Series 1, a carbon fiber reimagining of the first-gen Lotus Esprit that pairs a 400-hp twin-turbo V8 with hydraulic steering and a sub-2,650-pound curb weight. Limited to 50 builds worldwide, it starts at around $572k (excluding the donor Esprit V8) with deliveries beginning Q2 2026.
