Essex-based Encore has unveiled its reimagined Lotus Esprit Series 1, featuring a powerful 400bhp 3.5-liter V8 engine. A new video showcases the vehicle in action, highlighting the blend of classic design with modern performance enhancements.
Reviving a Legend
The project aims to honor the iconic 1970s original while incorporating contemporary technologies. The original 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has been replaced with a rebuilt twin-turbocharged, flat-plane V8 from the later Series 4 model, boosting power and usability.
Just 50 units will be produced by a team composed of former Lotus engineers, priced starting at approximately £430,000. According to chief engineer Will Ives, the goal was to maintain the classic analog driving feel of the original Esprit while making it relevant for today’s drivers.
“We wanted to respect the original but not be handcuffed by it,” Ives explained, acknowledging the extensive improvements made without abandoning the car’s core spirit.
Modern Power in a Classic Shell
Despite drawing inspiration from the first Esprit, the new Encore Series 1 is based on the more structurally sound chassis of the Series 4 V8 from 1994. This provided a stronger foundation for upgrades while still allowing the team to remain faithful to the original design, as noted by chief designer Dan Durrant, who also worked on the Lotus Emira.
Encore hopes their work will be seen as complementary to Lotus’s current efforts, rather than competitive.
Performance Boost
The most significant change is the powertrain. The original Esprit’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder was deemed insufficient for a modern sports car, leading Encore to choose the Series 4’s V8. The engine has been extensively rebuilt with new pistons, turbochargers, and injectors, resulting in a 50bhp increase to 400bhp at 6200rpm and a 60lb ft torque boost to 350lb ft at 5000rpm.
This means Encore’s Series 1 delivers 240bhp and 210lb ft more than the original Esprit, offering a substantial performance upgrade while retaining the classic car’s aesthetic.
In essence, Encore has successfully blended nostalgia with modern engineering, creating a high-performance tribute to a beloved sports car. The reimagined Esprit represents a significant upgrade in power and usability, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate both classic design and contemporary performance.
