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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe Encor Series 1 has a strong case as one of the most compelling high-end restomods: it pairs the wedge-shaped design of the original Lotus Esprit Series 1 with a later Esprit V8 donor, carbon-fibre bodywork and modern cabin features. Whether it is the “coolest ever” is a matter of taste, not something the published figures can settle. Its appeal depends on how you weigh design fidelity, engineering, performance, usability and a starting price of £430,000 before taxes, shipping or the donor car.
What is the Encor Series 1?
Despite its name, the Encor Series 1 is not a newly built Lotus or a replica of the original four-cylinder Esprit Series 1. “Series 1” refers to the early Esprit design that inspires it; each Encor build starts with a later Lotus Esprit V8 donor. Encor says it retains the donor’s chassis, engine and gearbox identities, replaces the body shell with carbon fibre, and rebuilds and refines the engine. Encor’s Series 1 page presents the car as a remastering of the Esprit.
That distinction matters: this is a bespoke conversion of an existing V8 Esprit, not a return to the original S1’s mechanical specification. The finished car draws its visual identity from the early wedge-shaped Esprit while keeping the underlying identity of its later donor.
How faithful is its design to the original Esprit?
The Series 1 keeps the Esprit’s unmistakable wedge profile, but it is not a line-for-line recreation. The carbon-fibre body lets Encor remove the central rubber strip associated with the original body construction, while updated lighting and surface details bring the shape forward. The result aims to preserve the original’s character rather than reproduce every detail.
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There are specific points enthusiasts may read differently. Absolute Lotus’s December 2025 feature notes that the front chin spoiler may call to mind the S2 as much as the S1, and that an altered mid-body line changes the car’s appearance. Those departures are part of the design argument: Encor is interpreting the Esprit, not freezing it in its earliest form.
What are the performance figures—and how firm are they?
Absolute Lotus reported Encor’s figures in December 2025. They describe company-stated output and performance estimates, not independently verified results from an instrumented test.
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| Measure | Figure | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Engine output | 400 bhp and 350 lb-ft | Figures for the rebuilt V8 reported as Encor’s in December 2025 by Absolute Lotus. |
| Target weight | Below 1,200 kg | Encor’s target reported by Absolute Lotus in December 2025; not a published verified weigh-in. |
| 0–62 mph | 4.0 seconds | Encor’s estimate reported by Absolute Lotus in December 2025; not an independent test result. |
| Top speed | 175 mph | Encor’s estimate reported by Absolute Lotus in December 2025; not an independently measured top speed. |
For the hardware, Absolute Lotus reports Quaife-developed changes to strengthen the transmission, AP Racing brakes and suspension tuned to Esprit Sport 350 specifications. These details indicate the scope of the engineering work, but they do not substitute for evidence of how the car performs on the road.
What is it like to use?
Encor lists Apple CarPlay, 360-degree cameras, heated seats and climate control among the Series 1’s features, alongside bespoke colour and specification choices on its official product page. They give the car a more contemporary set of conveniences than an original Esprit, while raising a legitimate question for buyers drawn to analogue sports cars: how much modern assistance feels like a welcome improvement, and how much changes the experience they want?
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The available coverage does not establish an independent completed road test. Motoring Research’s December 2025 first-look feature described an examination of the car at Encor’s facility and said a driving assessment was still expected in spring 2026. That first look supports discussion of the car’s design, not claims about tested acceleration, handling or driving feel.
How much does it cost, and how limited is production?
Encor lists a starting price of £430,000, excluding taxes, shipping and the donor vehicle; options may add to the total. The figure is therefore a base price for the conversion, not the complete cost of acquiring a finished car. The company announced a maximum production run of 50 examples. Encor’s current Series 1 page lists the price, while its 2 October 2025 launch announcement gives the production limit.
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So, is it the coolest restomod ever?
There is no objective “coolest ever” title here: no market-wide ranking or common test establishes one. The Encor makes its strongest case for buyers who value the early Esprit’s design, want the later V8 donor’s identity retained, and find a carbon-bodied reinterpretation with modern conveniences worth its bespoke price. Its case is less compelling for anyone who wants an exact S1 recreation, a low-cost route into Esprit ownership, or published independent performance testing before judging how it drives.
That is a more useful way to frame the question behind “the new Esprit we’ve been waiting for”: does this feel like a worthy modern Esprit? Encor’s answer is an ambitious blend of old shape and updated execution. Whether that blend is the coolest restomod is for the individual enthusiast to decide.
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