Chelmsford, United Kingdom – December 2025 – Half a century after the groundbreaking Lotus Esprit concept dazzled the 1975 Paris Motor Show, Encor officially presents the Series 1: a modern, meticulous and deeply respectful remastering of the legendary Esprit S1.
The goal is not to reinvent the classic, but to elevate it — keeping its soul intact while transforming it into a supercar for the 21st century.
Produced in a strictly limited run of just 50 units, each Encor Series 1 is built around a donor Esprit V8, completely disassembled and re-engineered. The project employs a full carbon-fiber body, a rebuilt 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and an advanced electrical architecture developed by Skyships, marking a rare fusion of heritage and contemporary technology.
A process guided by “respectful enhancement”
Encor’s philosophy is clear: preserve Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original design while improving the engineering, structure and performance. Head of Design Daniel Durrant, former Lotus designer and contributor to the Emira, describes the challenge:
“Every line we refined honors the intention of the original Esprit. It was pure, visionary and uncompromising. Our mission was to finally let the car behave the way its silhouette always promised.”
The team digitally scanned the Esprit S1, refining its proportions, “cleaning” surfaces and eliminating the iconic central seam of the fiberglass body. In its place comes a continuous autoclaved carbon shell — rigid, precise and seamless. The stance has subtly grown to accommodate modern tires, and the lighting now uses ultracompact LED projectors integrated into aerodynamic pop-ups, preserving the wedge profile.
The forged wheels reinterpret elements of the classic “slot” and the Sport 350 designs with contemporary structural language.
Renewed mechanics: tradition at the core, modern capability in control
Although visually transformed, the Series 1 retains a Lotus Esprit V8 chassis as its backbone — fully restored. The engine undergoes a complete rebuild with forged pistons, remanufactured turbochargers, new electronics, updated fuel systems and a stainless-steel exhaust.
Projected specifications:
- Approximately 400 hp
- 350 lb-ft of torque
- Target weight under 1,200 kg
- 0–100 km/h in 4.0 s
- Top speed close to 282 km/h
The five-speed manual transmission has been re-engineered by Quaife, receiving revised ratios, a helical limited-slip differential and a new twin-plate clutch. Sport 350-spec suspension, AP Racing brakes and hydraulic steering are retained to guarantee the analog tactility that defined the original Esprit.
Technical Director Mike Dickison summarizes:
“The Series 1 delivers the purity of an analog supercar but with dynamic capability the original platform could only dream of.”
Interior: balancing heritage and modernity
The cabin retains iconic elements: the angled dashboard, the enveloping cockpit, tartan accents and the immersive sensation of being inside a driver-centric machine. But everything has been rebuilt from scratch.
The highlight is the floating instrument panel, machined from a single block of aluminum and paired with a digital display. The T-shaped carbon fascia organizes essential controls with modern ergonomics. Seats are restored, re-foamed and refined.
Features such as infotainment, air conditioning and cameras were developed by Skyships and discreetly integrated to preserve the analog character.
According to cofounder Simon Lane:
“Technology exists to enhance the experience, not dominate it. This car is analog at its core.”
A team shaped by decades of excellence
Encor brings together professionals with backgrounds at Lotus, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and Skyships Automotive. For Skyships, there is an emotional connection: the company has supplied cockpit electronics for sports cars for decades and has worked extensively with Esprit owners.
William Ives, Skyships cofounder, comments:
“The Esprit has been part of our story for nearly thirty years. The Series 1 is the opportunity to apply everything we’ve learned in a profoundly respectful recreation.”
Commissioning, production and availability
- Only 50 units will be produced.
- Starting price: £430,000 (excluding taxes, options or donor car).
- Commissioning takes place at Encor’s Chelmsford headquarters and through private international sessions.
- Deliveries expected between Q2 2026 and 2027.
- Customers can configure their Series 1 on the official website: www.encor.design.
More than a tribute — a rebirth
The Encor Series 1 is not merely a celebration of the Esprit’s 50th anniversary: it is a statement of intent. A 1970s icon reborn with contemporary precision, ready for a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts.
Source and images: Encor. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
