JAKARTA To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lotus Esprit's birth, British startup Encor, introduced Series 1, an exclusive restomode project that combines the iconic design of the 70s era with modern technology and materials.
The car is designed as a tribute to the legendary model that was once a British automotive icon as well as a star in the James Bond film.
Encor relies on the chassis of Lotus Escrit Series 4 as the main base because the model is the last generation to use the V8 engine. However, the entire body is now replaced with a carbon fiber panel to lower weight while increasing structural rigidity. As a result, Giugiaro's distinctive wedge looks are maintained, but with a much more precise proportion and detail than the original version.
On the front, classic pop-up lights are replaced with modern LED projections that keep the original design character. While in the cabin, the old Esprit interior is transformed into a futuristic-style premium room. Encor wraps the seat and dashboard with skin and Alcantara, uses a CNC machine-made aluminum trim, and presents modern entertainment systems with Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera, and a premium audio system.
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This car runway still uses a 3.5 liter twin-turbo V8 engine owned by Escrit Series 4, but is reassembled with modern components to make it more powerful and reliable. Although Encor has yet to reveal exact figures, Efferit V8's built-in engine is known to have around 355 hp and 400 Nm torque, channeled to the rear wheels via 5-speed manual transmission.
Acceleration of 0100 km/hour can be achieved in about 4.9 seconds, with a peak speed approaching 282 km/hour.
Not only highlighting performance, but Encor is also trying to improve Escrit's old weakness, which is known to be vulnerable to mechanical problems.
"We want to create an Esprit version that can be driven every day without worrying," Encor's representative said in a statement, as quoted by Caranddriver, Monday, October 6.
The approach is the main difference between restoration and Encor modification with a more historical authenticity-oriented classical model. Encor Series 1 production is very limited, where only 50 units will be made for the rest of the world.
Prospective owners are required to provide donor cars in the form of Lotus Esprit Series 4, then pay a basic conversion fee of 579,000 US dollars, or approximately Rp9.39 billion. With a combination of retro design, modern performance, and production scarcity, Encor Series 1 has the potential to become a high-value collection among Lotus fans and restoration and modification lovers.
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