Lotus Espirit made famous by the British spy 007 is revived as the Encor Series 1
Right now automotive enthusiast on social media are praising the return of the very first Lotus Espirit (see picture below) as a true original looking restomod and its called Encor 1.
This is a ground-up reinterpretation that respects the original Espirit and is engineered for road the ahead, with every surface, structure and system rethought through uncompromising modern craftsmanship. The Encor Series 1 is a remastered version of the iconic Lotus Esprit S1, built by the British engineering company Encor Design.
Encor Design is a start-up company composed of a team with extensive experience in high-end and niche vehicle manufacturing, with alumni from prestigious brands such as Lotus, Aston Martin (Q by Aston Martin), Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Porsche. The Encor Series 1. Fully revealed.
A respectful continuation of an automotive icon. Carbon fibre bodywork, twin-turbo V8 power, manual transmission and hydraulic steering which is all engineered with restraint and intent.
Limited to just 50 bespoke commissions this is very disappointing as a car like this must and should be produced in higher numbers.
The Encor Series 1 powertrain is a heavily rebuilt and upgraded 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine (Type 918) from a later Lotus Esprit V8, producing around 400bhp, paired with a Quaife-enhanced 5-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip diff, and twin-plate clutch, delivering modern performance with classic Lotus spirit.
Key Components & Upgrades:
Engine: Lotus Type 918 3.5L Twin-Turbo V8, rebuilt with forged pistons, upgraded injectors, new turbos, modern fuel/cooling, and electronic throttle.
Power Output: Approximately 400 bhp (300 kW) and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of torque.
Transmission: Original 5-speed manual, re-engineered by Quaife for enhanced durability and precision, featuring a helical limited-slip differential (LSD) and a twin-plate clutch.
Performance: Achieves 0-62 mph in about 4.0 seconds, with a top speed near 175 mph (280 km/h).
Chassis Integration: The powertrain is integrated into a restomodded Esprit chassis, retaining its identity while modernizing components like suspension (Sport 350 spec) and brakes (AP Racing).
Why This Powertrain?
Encor engineers chose the V8 to provide the power and emotional driving experience the original four-cylinder Esprit lacked, creating a high-performance restomod that honours the classic design with modern reliability and capability.
Key individuals in the Encor team include:
Simon Lane: Co-founder and a veteran of luxury vehicle programs, previously a director at Lotus Advanced Performance and Aston Martin.
Daniel Durrant: Head of Design, who was the lead designer for the acclaimed Lotus Emira.
Mike Dickison: Engineering director with over 30 years of experience in engineering roles at MIRA, Tickford, and C2P.
William Ives and Michael Perkins: Co-founders of Skyships, who contribute expertise in vehicle systems, connected platforms, and cockpit electronics.
Encor plans to produce a limited run of just 50 individually commissioned examples of the Series 1 globally, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.
