Final Lotus Elise production car goes to its original namesake

A man named Romano Artioli is the reason that the world still has the archetypal lightweight sports car Lotus in our midst after he took the reins of the English carmaker in 1993 and named his first order of business after his granddaughter. It is only fitting then that the Final Lotus Elise production car goes to the lady that shares its namesake. 

The final Elise Sport 240 destined for purchase finished in the Championship Gold colour.

Romano Artioli was the quintessential Italian entrepreneur who shared a great passion for automobiles in the 1990’s. So much so that he was the man responsible for the Bugatti reboot when the EB110 was launched in 1991.

The genesis of the story between Romano, Elisa and Lotus.

But this article is not about him but rather his granddaughter Elisa, who if you didn’t already know or interpret by now is the original namesake of the Elise. More on the compact model here. 

The archetypal lightweight sports car has enjoyed a production run of 35,124 units!

The former Formula 1 contenting brand was acquired by the Italian businessman in 1993. The Hethel based marque then set about creating their first automobile under the new administration and the project goal was simple: lightweight. It managed a meagre 725 kg back when it was launched in 1996. For context, a modern single seater Formula 1 car festooned with carbon substrate and bodywork tips the scales at a ponderous 795kg.

Elisa with the Elise that she has owned since 1997, gifted by her grandfather Romano when she was a tender 4 years of age.

It thus propelled the brand to becoming the precedent lightweight sports car manufacturer and over 20 years after its initial launch, the final of 35,124 Elise models rolled off the production floor in Norfolk County at the end of 2021.

Elisa took delivery of her new purchase at the Lotus HQ in Hethel.

The last of which is destined for the internal museum but the penultimate model was purchased by the woman who gave it its name. 

The interior of the final Elise.

Interestingly enough, at the tender age of 2, Elisa was hidden beneath the covers on Romano’s brand new model at its launch so it is only fitting that granddaughter Artioli gets the final Elise Sport 240 in Championship Gold colour. The perfect ending does exist, and it ends with the person who gave it reason to begin.

The post Final Lotus Elise production car goes to its original namesake appeared first on CAR Magazine.

The Car Guide