UK-based niche automaker Encor has finally presented the Series 1, a coupe inspired by the iconic Lotus Esprit. It combines retro looks with a full-carbon body, an upgraded OEM chassis and a 400-PS engine under the hood, all at a cost of a Ferrari.
Only 50 examples will be made and offered starting from £430,000 (U.S. $572,000). Customers must supply their own 1996 Esprit chassis for the makeover. It gets swapped to a 3.5-liter Lotus V8 tuned with forged internals, a modern air intake system and a performance exhaust. Once done, it outputs 400 PS (394 hp / 294 kW) to the rear wheels along with 478 Nm (353 lb-ft) of torque. The transmission is five-speed manual, and there is a limited-slip differential in the back.
An all-carbon body means the whole car weighs as little as 1.2 metric tons (2,645 pounds). It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in four seconds from standstill and maxes out at 280 km/h (175 mph), more or less same as the original.
Interior additions include a digital dash cluster and an infotainment touchscreen. Buyers can specify further modern options, like climate control, at an extra cost.
