The Lotus Esprit is Reborn with V8 Engine and Carbon Fiber: The Exclusive Encor Serie 1 Restomod

The British company Encor presents the Serie 1, a radical reinterpretation that combines the famous Giugiaro silhouette with modern technology.

The Serie 1 project has an authentic foundation. Encor uses a late 90s Esprit V8 as a starting point. The car is completely disassembled and rebuilt around a full carbon fiber body. The surfaces reproduce the proportions of the 1975 S1. This achieves a level of assembly precision impossible with fiberglass bodies. The pop-up headlights return, now equipped with micro-LED technology. The wheels reinterpret the language of the original Esprit.

Twin-Turbo V8 Powertrain and Upgraded Transmission

The work beneath the body is even more extensive. Encor rebuilt the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with forged pistons and oversized injectors. They also renewed the turbochargers and implemented a completely modern management system. This results in an output of 400 hp and 478 Nm.

In addition, the 5-speed manual gearbox was revised in collaboration with Quaife. The transmission now incorporates new ratios and reinforced components. It also receives a limited-slip differential and a clutch that manages the new torque without issues. The suspension maintains the Sport 350 calibration. The brakes are by AP Racing. The steering remains hydraulic, preserving the model’s analog soul.

Analog Interior with Digital Details

The Serie 1’s interior manages to blend history and modernity with an almost museum-like style. The sloping dashboard and the slatted instrument panel evoke the S1. Similarly, the tartan inserts are reminiscent of the original. However, every component was rebuilt using contemporary materials.

The digital dashboard stands out, located in a structure of machined aluminum. The on-board technology is discreet. It includes integrated infotainment, modern climate control, and rear-view cameras. These digital elements do not interfere with the deliberately analog character of the Lotus. Deliveries of this restomod will begin in 2026.