The Lotus Espirit is back as Encor just rebuilt the '70s icon into a carbon-fiber masterpiece
Published on Dec 05, 2025 at 8:48 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Dec 05, 2025 at 8:48 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Ladies and gentlemen, the legendary Lotus Esprit is back – and it’s all thanks to Encor.
It is a reimagination project by a British firm.
The company has just rebuilt the 1970s icon.
And they have converted the Lotus Esprit into a carbon-fiber masterpiece.
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The Lotus Esprit has been reimagined by Encor
Well, this is certainly an announcement worthy of headline news.
Because the Lotus Esprit is back – kind of.
And it’s a British car-building start-up that’s to be thanked for it.
The firm has just announced the release of the Series I, and it’s no dramatic statement to say that it is absolutely stunning.
The inspiration from the 1970s icon is extremely clear to see.
Encor Chief Engineer Will Ives said the plan was to ‘refine’ the classic driving experience that made the Series 1 Esprit so popular.
According to Ives, the team ‘wanted to respect the original but not be handcuffed by it.’
He admitted that ‘while we love the car, there was just so much opportunity to improve it.’
Numbers are impressive – but so is the price
So, what changes has Encor actually made?
Well, let’s start with the engine, shall we?
Encor decided to opt for the 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 from the Esprit Series 4.
The company has rebuilt the engine using new pistons, turbochargers, and injectors.
Power totals out at 400hp at 6,200rpm – making the Encor Series I 240hp more powerful than its inspiration.
But what is equally fascinating is the weight of the new build – just 1,200kg – giving it a power-to-weight ratio similar to a 2018 Aston Martin Vantage.
Encor has maintained the five-speed manual gearbox – because it was almost impossible to use anything else.
“We’re addressing that weakness, and that enables us to then take the engine up to a slightly higher output, because we’re no longer limited by the original gearbox,” said Ives.
The interior is equally as impressive a renovation as the performance.
There is a button to open the doors, hidden in the air intakes.
The entire dash structure is made of carbon fiber, while the all-new wheel maintains the same twin-spoke design as the original.
But how much will all of this set you back?
Well, the project doesn’t exactly come cheap.
In fact, it costs £430,000 – around $570,000.
That is a lot of money for a tribute to a submarine car from the James Bond series.
It will be intriguing to see whether the proposed 50 units sell like hot cakes.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
