Chelmsford-based Encor has revealed a reimagined Lotus Esprit Series 1 featuring a rebuilt 3.5-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 400bhp, a new carbon-fibre body and a limited production run of 50 cars priced from about £430,000.
The engine is Encor’s enhanced Type 918 V8 from the Esprit Series 4, rebuilt with new pistons, turbochargers and injectors to raise output to 400bhp at 6,200rpm and 350lb ft at 5,000rpm, significantly more than the original Series 1.
Weighing 1,200kg wet, the Encor Series 1 achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 333bhp per tonne and pairs the V8 with a modern electronic throttle, new ECU and a reworked five-speed manual gearbox for improved drivability.
Chief engineer Will Ives said the brief was to refine the original analogue driving experience, while chief designer Dan Durrant emphasized faithfulness to the 1970s model; co-founder and commercial director Simon Lane said Encor has not worked with Lotus.
Read the full article at autocar.co.uk.
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