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Carbon-fibre classic: the debut of the Lotus Esprit-based Encor Series 1

Carbon-fibre classic: the debut of the Lotus Esprit-based Encor Series 1
Shelby
05-10-2025

British automobile company Encor has officially announced the launch of a unique project to create a restomodified version of the renowned Lotus Esprit sports car, dubbed the Encor Series 1. This landmark event marks the fiftieth anniversary of the original Lotus Esprit S1's world premiere at the Paris Motor Show and aims to reimagine the classic model's legacy for the most discerning collectors and connoisseurs of automotive art. The new model is positioned as a modern interpretation of an iconic design, where clean, pure lines harmoniously blend with a radically updated technical package incorporating advanced materials and engineering solutions. The total production run is limited to just fifty numbered units, underscoring the exclusivity of this offering.

The Encor Series 1 project was based on the original Lotus Esprit S1 design and engineering, but the company's engineers undertook a comprehensive overhaul, replacing the previous fiberglass body with one crafted from carbon fiber. This significantly reduced the car's overall weight while simultaneously increasing body rigidity and ensuring impeccable manufacturing precision across every component. The exterior surfaces were refined using computer-aided design technologies to optimize aerodynamic performance, while iconic elements such as the pop-up headlights were reimagined as low-profile LED projectors, maintaining a visual connection to the original while meeting modern lighting and safety standards.

The car's mechanicals underwent no less significant transformation, as the powertrain was completely redesigned and refined to deliver increased performance, improved responsiveness, and reliability, making it suitable for active everyday use. At the same time, the basic chassis, engine, and gearbox remain the same as the original Lotus donor car, ensuring a historical connection to the brand's heritage and simplifying the official vehicle registration process, allowing it to be considered the legitimate successor to the classic model. The interior has been completely reimagined using high-quality materials such as premium leather, Alcantara, and brushed aluminum, while the subtle integration of digital systems includes Apple CarPlay support, discreetly integrated surround-view cameras, and modern climate control, creating an atmosphere where timeless design seamlessly coexists with the comfort and convenience of modern vehicles.

The official public unveiling of the Encor Series 1 is scheduled for November of this year, when the company intends to reveal all the details, final technical specifications, and publish a full set of photographs of the finished car. The starting price for this exclusive sports car starts at four hundred and thirty thousand pounds sterling, and this figure does not include the cost of additional options, applicable taxes, or the purchase of the donor car itself, which is a Lotus Esprit V8, making the entire project an investment for true connoisseurs of unique automotive solutions.