Encor Series 1 — The £430k Carbon-Bodied Lotus Esprit Restomod

With the soaring in popularity of restomods in recent years, you’d think just about all bases are covered. Porsches, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Lamborghinis and even the humble Lotus Elise have been brought mechanically up to date with bodywork sympathetic of their original models, but never the Esprit, until now!

Encor Design have changed that with a selection of teaser shots and equally teasy text for the upcoming Encor Series 1, a reinvigoration of the Lotus Esprit, 50 years after its original release. The full reveal is scheduled next month, but until then, you’ll have to use the photos and your imagination.

Despite the name, the donor car used for each Series 1 will be a Series 4 Lotus Esprit V8, have its original fibreglass shell replaced with a full carbon fibre body shell, meaning a lighter and more rigid structure, which Colin Chapman would surely approve of, and something which aligns with one of Encore’s key points, that the car is driver-focused. The V8 is said to be fully rebuilt and refined with higher performance, improved drivability and greater everyday usability, while retaining its identity.

Styling-wise, the images suggest a shape very true to the original wedge of cheese, but surfaces are CAD-refined and enhanced for improved aerodynamics, and the iconic pop-up headlights have been reimagined as low-profile LED projectors.

Inside, the cockpit is said to have been reinterpreted with leather, Alcantara and machined aluminium, with subtly integrated modern niceties like Apple CarPlay, 360 cameras and climate control. In Encore’s words, the aim is to balance timeless form with contemporary comfort.

If you’re not familiar with Encore Design, you might be familiar with co-founder Simon Lane’s previous employers. He was previously director of Lotus Advanced Performance, which seems a good start, and director at Aston Martin Lagonda, where he oversaw commercial aspects of Valkyrie and Valhalla programs as well as all bespoke and limited-edition vehicles. Each member of the team brings huge experience at the highest levels of the industry from companies such as Pagani, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Porsche and Lotus, so they should know a thing or two.

Both the team’s history and their commitment to preserving what made the Esprit such a legend seem very promising indeed. “In every detail, we act as conservators of Chapman’s ideals”, says Simon Lane, Encor Co-Founder. “Our mission is to elevate the Esprit for a new era without sacrificing its soul”.

Just 50 examples of the Encor Series 1 will be produced at Encore Design’s UK factory in 2026 at a price of £430,000 plus a donor car.