50 years ago, the striking Lotus Esprit S1 made its debut at the 1975 Paris Motor Show. Wearing bodywork penned by the legendary Giorgetto Guigiaro and earning a starring role in the Roger Moore era James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, there’s no denying what an icon the Esprit has become.
Now, to celebrate its half-century, British startup Encor Design looks to revive the glamour of the original Esprit for the 21st Century.
Officially the Encor Series 1, the Esprit S1 serves as the design foundation for the car, while the actual underpinnings are taken from the later V8-powered Esprit S4.
Beneath what promises to be “razor-edged styling”, which we’ve only been given a teaser of for now, is a carbon fibre body shell – a lighter, more rigid, and millimetre-precise structure replacing the original fibreglass shell. Its surfaces have been CAD-refined, aerodynamically enhanced, and even the Esprit’s defining pop-up headlights have been reimagined as low-profile LED projectors.
However, Encor Design co-founder Simon Lane explains that preserving Colin Chapman’s original backbone frame of the car, along with his design engineering ideals, is of the utmost importance.
“In every detail, we act as conservators of Chapman’s ideals [and] our mission is to elevate the Esprit for a new era without sacrificing its soul,” says Lane.
“Anyone can modify a car. What sets us apart is the way we treat the Esprit – not as a project, but as a responsibility. Progress should enhance, not replace.”
Certainly, there is clear progress through enhancement not just with the new carbon shell, but in every other aspect of the car as well. Maintaining the original Esprit V8 chassis and powertrain from each donor vehicle, the engine will be fully rebuilt, ensuring enhanced drivability and daily usability. The original chassis and powertrain numbers also remain, ensuring continuity for Lotus heritage registration.
Inside, the Esprit’s iconic wraparound cockpit has been refinished with a mix of plush leather, Alcantara, and machined aluminium. Subtle digital integration brings modern conveniences such as Apple CarPlay, a discreet 360-degree camera system, and modern climate control.
As a testament to just how high-quality the end product should be, each member of Encor’s leadership team brings over three decades of experience working for the likes of Pagani, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Porsche, and of course Lotus. This includes being directly responsible in projects such as the Lotus Emira and high-end personalisation programs such as Q by Aston Martin and Lotus Advanced Performance.
Further details, full technical specifications, and of course a reveal of the complete car is set to be revealed in November 2025, although we can already confirm pricing will start at £430,000 (A$877,870) excluding the cost of the Lotus Esprit V8 donor vehicle. Just 50 examples will be built.
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