Lotus Esprit Encor Series 1: The Analogue Supercar Reimagined

Fifty years after the original Lotus Esprit concept stunned crowds in 1975, a new chapter quietly begins with the Encor Series 1. It is not a wild reinterpretation or a loud reboot. Instead, it feels like someone who truly loved the Esprit has gone back, listened carefully to what it always wanted to be, and finally given it the tools to get there.

Encor started by treating the Esprit as something precious, not disposable. The team digitally scanned the original car, cleaned up its lines, and reshaped the body in carbon fibre. The big mould line of the old fibreglass shell is gone, replaced by a single, crisp carbon skin that makes the shape look as sharp and pure as the early design sketches. Ultra-compact LED lights hide in low-profile pop-up housings, so the classic wedge face stays intact, only now with modern brightness and better airflow.

Underneath, this is still a Lotus Esprit V8 at heart. The backbone chassis is stripped, restored and paired with a rebuilt 3.5 litre twin turbo V8. With forged internals, renewed turbochargers and modern fuel and cooling systems, it now targets about 400 brake horsepower and 350 pounds feet of torque, pushing under 1,200 kilograms. The goal is 0 to 62 miles per hour in around 4 seconds and a top speed near 175 miles per hour.

The five speed manual transmission is re-engineered with stronger parts, revised gearing and a limited slip differential, while suspension and AP Racing brakes bring the dynamics up to modern expectations. Importantly, the steering stays hydraulic, so the driver still feels that honest, old school feedback.

Inside, you sit low in a cabin that feels familiar but beautifully remade. The sloped dashboard, tartan touches and driver focused layout are all there, only with richer materials, a billet aluminium instrument pod and discreet infotainment and climate controls. It is an analogue car with carefully chosen technology that simply helps, never shouts.