Lotus Esprit returns as a $569,000 carbon-fiber restomod, with only 50 built worldwide
Published on Apr 07, 2026 at 7:04 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Apr 07, 2026 at 4:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
The Lotus Esprit is proving itself to be something of a comeback kid, as it has returned as a $569,000 carbon-fiber restomod.
But if you’re thinking you want to snag one, don’t get too excited just yet – only 50 of these will be built.
British engineering firm, Encor, recently unveiled its Series 1 restomod, decked out with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
While we’re all glad to see it back, there’s just one question on our minds – why now?
The Lotus Esprit is back and better than ever
With some cars, their legacies are relatively easy to sum up.
The Lotus Esprit is not such a car.
A lot has been said about this car over the years, from praise for its ‘sublime’ unassisted steering to its stint as a James Bond car.
Things had been relatively quiet since the car was retired back in 2004.
But then came the news that the Esprit was returning as a limited-edition carbon fiber remaster.
Created as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the original, the Encor Series 1 does a lot differently.
With a Series 4 Esprit V8 chassis and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 400hp, this car is all about the power.
It’s capable of hitting 60mph within four seconds and can reach top speeds of 175mph.
On the interior, the car retained its iconic sloped dashboard and tartan accents, but beautifully welcomes modern tech – including Apple CarPlay, 360-degree cameras, and a digital instrument display.
That all sounds amazing – but don’t expect to see these on every street corner any time soon.
These are cars with a lot of exclusivity
For a start, only 50 units will ever be introduced.
And as if the limited numbers weren’t daunting enough, there’s also a hefty price tag that comes along with it.
Encor Series 1 starts at £430,000 – equivalent to $569,000 – and that’s before options, taxes, and not including the price of the donor Esprit.
Deliveries for these hand-built commissions are scheduled to begin later in the second quarter of 2026.
Timeline of the Lotus Esprit
1972: Concept gets its first reveal at the Turin Motor Show.
1976: Series one launches, and gained instant fame as the amphibious car in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
1978: Series two brings improved cooling and integrated spoilers.
1981: Series three refined the interior and the chassis
1987: Body was smoothed out in a redesign, thanks to Peter Stevens, who would later go on to design the McLaren F1.
1993: Series four brought in power steering and a redesigned rear wing.
1996: The Esprit finally gets its V8 engine.
2004: The final Esprit rolled off the line in Hethel, Norfolk, drawing a 28-year production run to a close.
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Following stints at LadBible, The Sun, The New York Post, and the Daily Mail, Ben joined the team full-time in February 2025. In his role as Senior Content Writer, his sparkling copy, the ability to sniff out a good story at 100 paces, and a GSOH quickly led to him becoming an integral and invaluable member of the writing staff.
