I recently wrote an article about the Encor Series 1, a carbon-fibre reimagining of the Lotus Esprit.
Following lots of interaction on the Bridge Classic Cars social media about the car, I wanted to find out more, so I was lucky enough to have a conversation with Simon Lane, the Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Encor Design – the company behind this stunning car.
This is how our conversation went:
Tell me about Encor Design…how did it start?
Encor started with a simple but slightly obsessive question: what if you could take one of the most iconic wedges in automotive history and rebuild it with the care, engineering and intent it always deserved?
The idea grew out of years spent around great cars, great stories and great engineers, and a shared feeling that the original Esprit S1 was more than just a Bond prop. It was a piece of daring design that deserved to be reimagined with modern materials, modern standards and total respect for what made it special in the first place.
The Esprit is such a recognisable car with a strong fan base. How did you go about keeping its original feel intact while bringing in all the modern engineering upgrades?
From day one, the brief was never to modernise the Esprit for the sake of it, but to amplify what was already there.
We spent an enormous amount of time studying the original proportions, surfaces and driving character, then worked backwards from that to decide where modern engineering genuinely improved the experience.
Everything you feel, see and interact with is rooted in the original car, but underneath it all sits contemporary engineering that makes it sharper, more usable and more confidence inspiring without losing its soul.
What were the biggest challenges in making the change to a carbon fibre body?
Moving to a carbon fibre body was probably the single biggest technical leap and also one of the most rewarding. Carbon gives you incredible strength, stiffness and weight advantages, but it also forces absolute precision. Every surface had to be right, every panel relationship had to honour Giugiaro’s original design, and there was no hiding behind filler or compromise. The challenge was making something incredibly advanced look completely natural, as if it could only ever have been that way.
When reimagining the Esprit, what were the absolute necessities that had to stay original for you?
The absolute non-negotiables were the silhouette, the stance and the sense of drama that defines the Esprit S1. That low, razor-sharp wedge, the way the car sits on the road, and the feeling that it is something slightly outrageous all had to stay.
We were also determined that it should still feel like a driver’s car, not a museum piece, so the feedback, visibility and sense of connection were just as important as the way it looks.
What do Esprit owners/enthusiasts make of the Series 1?
The reaction from Esprit owners and enthusiasts has been genuinely humbling. People who know these cars inside out immediately spot the details and understand the restraint we have shown. There is excitement about the engineering, but also relief that we have not lost the character or turned it into something unrecognisable.
That balance is exactly what we were aiming for, so seeing it resonate with the community has been hugely rewarding.
The car is only being made in extremely limited numbers. What made you come to that decision?
Limiting production was a very deliberate choice. This is about craftsmanship, focus and doing things properly rather than chasing volume. By keeping numbers extremely small, we can obsess over every car, work closely with each owner, and protect the integrity of the project. It also feels appropriate for something that is as much about passion and heritage as it is about performance.
Now that the Series 1 has been revealed, what’s next for Encor Design?
With the Series 1 now revealed, the focus shifts to building cars, refining every last detail and working directly with customers.
At the same time, Encor as a brand is just getting started. We have a clear vision for what comes next, but it will always be guided by the same principles of restraint, respect and engineering depth that defined the Series 1.
How can people find out more about what Encor Design are doing?
The best place to follow the journey is through our official channels online (encor.design or search Encor Design in social), where we are sharing the story, the engineering and the people behind Encor as it unfolds.
We are very open about the process and love engaging with enthusiasts, so whether you are a long-time Esprit fan or just discovering the project, there are plenty of ways to dive deeper and stay connected.
Enjoyed Talking Classics With Simon Lane?
Take a look at the entire Talking Classics series for more interviews with other influential people.
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