Episode Details

The carbon fibre-infused Encor Series 1, first revealed late last year, is edging closer to production. And at the 2026 Salon Privé Concours, we finally got to see it in person alongside another Lotus restomod. Based on a donor Lotus Esprit rather than a clean-sheet build, the Series 1 replaces ageing components with modern parts and tech while preserving the character that made the original iconic. With just 50 hand-built units planned and a starting price of around £430,000 ($580,000), this is a rare and expensive reinterpretation of a true classic.

A Tiny Wedge With Pop-Up Headlights

Seeing it up close really highlights just how small the Esprit platform is. Measuring just under 14 feet long, 6 feet wide, and just over 3.5 feet tall, the Series 1 has a footprint that feels bite-sized by modern standards. Yet the presence is anything but.

The original shape, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, remains intact, complete with pop-up headlights and that signature wedge silhouette. But the old fibreglass body is gone, replaced by a carbon-fibre shell for added rigidity and weight savings. It even sits on 5-spoke wheels that echo the donor car’s design, tying the whole look back to its roots. Even among other highlights at the event, like the F1-inspired Nichols N1A, the Encor still drew a crowd.

Old-School Soul in a Modern Package