The video introduces the Encor S1, a restomod project that reimagines the classic Lotus Esprit S1 using the underpinnings of a later Esprit V8. JayEmm explains that Encor, a small team of passionate Lotus enthusiasts, set out to build the car they believe Lotus should be making but isn't.
Key aspects of the Encor S1:
Concept: It combines the iconic 1970s Giugiaro wedge shape of the Esprit S1 with the advancements and improvements from 25 years of Lotus development found in the Sport 350.
Donor Car & Cost: The Encor S1 requires a 1998 onwards V8 Esprit as a donor car, and the conversion costs £430,000 plus VAT. Only 50 units are planned.
Engine & Performance: The car uses the Lotus-designed 3.5L twin-turbo V8 from the donor Esprit, but it has been de-tuned to 400 horsepower, prioritizing usability over excessive power. The car weighs 1,200 kg wet.
Gearbox: While using the original Renault UN1 gearbox casing, the internals are entirely new, built with components from companies like Quaife to handle the power and torque, and it includes a limited-slip differential.
Construction & Design:
The body is made entirely of carbon fiber, making it lighter and stronger, and eliminating the original car's seam line.
It retains the original chassis and proportions, with a slightly wider stance due to the donor car.
Features include 17-inch wheels, modern LED lights housed in machined billet aluminum, and 21st-century specification pop-up headlights.
The wing mirrors are 3D printed with carbon fiber-infused plastic and include integrated LED side repeaters and a 360-degree camera.
All glass, except for two specific pieces, is new and improved, with the front screen being heated and no longer requiring a trim strip.
Interior: The interior is a significant highlight, featuring high-quality materials like leather and Alcantara, with a focus on modernizing the classic wraparound spaceship-style dash. It uses a bespoke infotainment system developed by suppliers to major automotive manufacturers. An electronic handbrake replaces the original fly-off handbrake, allowing for increased sill rigidity.
Driving Dynamics: The car features Öhlins dampers and bespoke geometry, retaining the Lotus suppleness while offering the response and tautness expected of a modern sports car. The exhaust system has also been meticulously designed.
The video concludes by highlighting the immense passion and engineering depth of the Encor team, emphasizing that this project is a welcome alternative to the trend of overpowered modern cars and Porsche restomods.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AS2EY4u0OQ
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AS2EY4u0OQ
