Revival of a Legend: Encor Presents a Modern Interpretation of the 1975 Lotus Esprit
Fifty years have passed since the original Lotus Esprit first appeared on the stage of the 1975 Paris Motor Show. Almost as much time has passed since James Bond’s underwater adventures made this car one of the most famous in the world. However, the first-generation Esprit S1 never received a large-scale carbon fiber reincarnation similar to the works of the Singer studio. Until now.
The new British company Encor has presented its project called Series 1. This is a car with a carbon fiber body, modernized but spiritually close to the original wedge created by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The team, whose resumes include work at Lotus, Aston Martin, and Koenigsegg, has revived the silhouette of the 1975 car, sharpening the lines and replacing the old two-piece fiberglass body with a monolithic carbon shell.
Design Details and Technical Solutions
Lighting is provided by ultra-compact LEDs embedded in thin pop-up headlight units. The wheels combine the style of the original S1 rims with a five-spoke design from the later Sport 350 model.
Encor understands that paying homage to the Esprit without pop-up headlights is simply impossible.
The technical foundation is also serious. Each Series 1 begins life as a donor Esprit V8 from the late 1990s, which Encor disassembles to the chassis and completely rebuilds. Modernization includes forged pistons, updated turbos, a modern cooling system, and a stainless steel exhaust system.
Power and Dynamics
After modernization, the engine produces about 400 horsepower and 478 Nm of torque. The target weight of the car is less than 1200 kg. This ensures acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 4 seconds and a top speed of around 282 km/h.
The car demonstrates the dynamics that the original Esprit S1 looked like it had, but could never achieve.
The five-speed manual gearbox from Quaife has received revised gear ratios, a reinforced shaft, a twin-disc clutch, and a limited-slip differential. The suspension is modernized following the pattern of the Sport 350, the brakes are from AP Racing, and the steering system retains hydraulic power assistance to preserve road feel.
Interior: A Blend of Eras
The car’s interior is a blend of a museum and science fiction. The sloping dashboard, tartan accents, and low seating position remain, but everything is executed with modern materials. The floating instrument panel is machined from a solid block of aluminum and equipped with a digital display.
Production is limited to 50 units. The starting price for each is £430,000, excluding taxes and the cost of the donor car. Customer deliveries will begin in 2026.
The Encor Series 1 project demonstrates how a classic design can be viewed in a new way without losing its spirit. The use of carbon fiber and modern technologies has not only rejuvenated the Esprit but has finally given it the technical characteristics worthy of its bold appearance. Similar initiatives often spark discussions about feasibility and authenticity, yet they also bring history to life, making it accessible to a new generation of enthusiasts in a completely new dimension.