The Lotus Esprit has been re-restomodded, but Encor’s version looks great. The Lotus version of the early Singer-redesigned 911s is better in every way and not too flashy. The weight is about the same as a Mazda MX-5 RF, but it doesn’t get much more powerful. Wow, those brave Brits have done it again with the new Encor Series 1, which is a restomod version of the original Lotus Esprit. The Encor’s carbon-fiber exterior has a classic look and, thankfully, isn’t showy. This is good in a world where Ferrari and Lamborghini fight for the best style instead of the best. Also, look at the 17- and 18-wheels. The huge tires on them are spaced out, and there are no rubber bands on the big rims. The whole thing exudes the quintessential English quality: moderation. Encor’s main office in Chelmsford is like the ones Charles Dickens and Henry VIII often visited. The city has a rich history, which is why it appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. The best place to restore an old car is one that knows about history. Encor’s work on the first series started with laser-scanning the original Esprit. They then gently reshaped it in every direction to improve the cooling, braking, chassis, and power. This non-traditional method is not how it’s usually done. You can still get pop-up headlights, but now they come with LEDs. Each restoration starts with an Esprit V8 turbo from a source car. These cars were discontinued in 2004. The car’s spine is still okay, but Encor puts in a whole new powerplant unit with repaired turbochargers and forged pistons. The engine is still a V-8 with a 3.5-liter capacity. It’s possible to be even more impressed by how much the Quaife experts have improved the five-speed manual transmission. It has 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get the job done but not enough to be impressive. Luckily, this car is still built to capture the feel that made the Lotus Esprit so great, and the Series 1 is said to weigh a mere 2600 pounds, even with all that carbon fiber. Will Ives, Encor’s lead engineer, may have the best things to say about the suspension setup. In an interview with the UK magazine Autocar, he says that the team’s goal was to build a car that combined the Esprit’s already great handling with more suspension compliance, rather than a current McLaren rival with a firm spring. Lotuses are not usually known for their strength and reliability, but Encor has made one that is. The first cost is high, about $575,000 + the donor Esprit. But look at that beautiful plaid interior! You can see how classy this updated Lotus looks in traditional green and gold or black and gold like JPS in the company’s configurator. Without a doubt, Colin Chapman would agree.
