Photo by Andras Stefuca: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-lotus-esprit-17852355/
Photo by Andras Stefuca – Source: Pexels
Esprit car to Encor’s new Series 1 project is not just another restomod.
It feels like some; took the original dream of the Esprit, dusted it off and rebuilt it with tools Lotus never had back then.
Finally the comeback; only 50 cars will ever exist worldwide, and every single one begins life in the same unusual way; the future owner must supply a working Lotus Esprit V8 from 1996-2004!
Encor keeps the donor’s chassis and original VIN, and everything else, from the carbon body to the rewired electronics, is essentially reborn.
You do not buy a car off a shelf, you commission a transformation.
And the car is not cheap, prices start at £430,000 before taxes and options, which already pushes it towards modern hypercar money, and that still does not include the donor V8 Esprit.
A decent one typically runs another £40,000–£60,000, buyers can visit Encor’s base in Chelmsford, UK, or arrange a very private overseas consultation if travelling is difficult.
The first completed customer cars are expected to roll out in Q2 2026, and deliveries will continue through 2027.
After that, the 50-car run ends, no variants, no unlimited production, just a tightly controlled, once-only tribute to the shape that made Guigiaro famous.
Will They Build New Ones? Encor Esprit Car
The short answer is no, at least, not in the traditional “factory new” sense. The process here is a “restomod.” This means the internal, mechanical parts are swapped out for modern tech and luxury features, while the restoration visually brings it back to that beautiful classic appearance, or even better.
Lotus Cars — the Official Manufacturer
Lotus is not bringing back the Esprit, production ended in 2004 and although a revival almost happened around 2012, but the project was eventually shelved.
The brand for now is focused on different line up, the Emira, which is their final pure petrol car, and the newer electric models like Eletre or Emeya.
However, their future sports car, known internally as Type 135, is planned for around 2027 and will be fully electric.
And designeers hinted that some of the old Esprit spirit influences the proportions but this is not a direct successor.
Which means that the classic Esprit nameplate remains untouched.
Encor — the Independent Builder
So, on the other hand Encor, is a new British automotive independent company. They are absolutely building ‘new’ Esprit cars, just not in the factory-new Lotus sense.
It is reimagined version, modernised interpretation built in tiny numbers.
They; strictly; will make only 50 units, each one tied to its donor car, and once those are delivered they have not announced any follow-up projects.
So the short answer:
Lotus isn’t building new Esprits. Encor is, but only 50, and all of them rely on an original V8 chassis.
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How Much Will It Cost, and What’s the Difference?
And the price it starts at £430,000, and after you factor in the donor car and any optional extras, you are realistically looking at 470K or 500K+ before taxes.
But the price of the Original S1 Esprit today is around £28,000, and even a good V8 model costs only a fraction of the conversion price.
Is it the price too much? So let’s check what will bring the new updated one;
It’s high because is almost entirely rebuilt, Encor created a carbon fibre body that keeps the aesthetic of the 1970s wedge but smooth the awkward seams and imrpoves the aero.
And underneath the body work sits the donor Esprit V8 chassis, but heavily strengthened and modernised.
Most of the owner will like the idea, it will be only 50 units around the world, we believe the number of those who want the new and modernised car, will be much higher.
However, the engine will be 3.5-litre twin-turbo V8; modern cooling and a bump around 400hp.
Combined with the carbon shell, the car aims to weight about 1,200 kg, far lighter than the original V8 Esprit.
Even the suspension and brakes are upgraded to Sport 350-style hardware, pairing Bilstein dampers with AP racing brakes.
And inside, the cabin no longer feels like a 90s British sports car, it has a digital display, proper infotainment and more.
In simple terms:
It looks like an S1 from the outside, but behaves like a modern supercar underneath.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Original Esprit (S1 or V8 donor) | Encor Series 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Fiberglass | Carbon fibre |
| Structure | 70s/90s architecture | CAD-refined, strengthened |
| Engine | 3.5L TT V8 (350 hp) | Rebuilt 400 hp V8 |
| Interior | Analog, minimal | Digital dash, CarPlay, cameras |
| Weight | Heavier | ~1,200 kg |
| Reliability | Hit or miss | Re-engineered for daily usability |
