Lotus has just delivered the very last “customer” Elise to Elisa Artioli. Granddaughter of the former boss of Lotus, Romano Artioli, it is from her that the name of the car comes. Elisa Artioli already owned an Elise S1, which was given to her in 1997 when she was only four years old.
In December 2021, Lotus announced the end of production of the Elise, Exige and Evora, replaced by the Emira. The manufacturer from Hethel declares today to have delivered the ultimate Elise “customer”. This very symbolic copy, which closes 27 years of history and three generations of Elise, is not intended for just anyone. Its happy owner is none other than Elisa Artioli, the one who inspired the name of the original Lotus Elise.
Elisa and the Elise, a family story
Marketed in 1996, the Elise was designed when Romano Artioli was president of Lotus, a period that only lasted three years from 1993. The Italian businessman, who was also at the head of the French brand Bugatti with which he marketed theEB110, named this new generation Lotus after his granddaughter Elisa. The Elise was presented as a prototype on September 12, 1995 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and Elisa Artioli, then not even three years old, was in the car when it was uncovered. In 1997, aged four, she received a standard light gray Elise as a gift to Italian market specifications, powered by a naturally aspirated 118 hp, 690 kg four-cylinder. She still owns it and drives it regularly. A second Elise joins Elisa’s garage; 25 years separate these two models.
An Elise Sport 240 to complete the loop
Elisa Artioli has just taken possession of a Elise Sport 240 dressed in ‘Championship Gold’ body color contrasted by anthracite gray rims. This model was launched in February 2021 to replace the Elise Sport 220. Under its rear bonnet, the naturally aspirated 1.8 L four-cylinder compressor develops 243 hp and 244 Nm of torque, enough to propel this 900 kg chip (at dry with lightening options) to 100 km/h in 4.5 s according to its technical data sheet.
With the shutdown of the Elise, Exige and Evora, Lotus is actually turning a page in its history, to enter a new era under the control of the Chinese group Geely. The Emira of 1,405 kg empty and 360 hp minimum will be the last thermal model of the manufacturer. It will become 100% electric by 2030 and is preparing to expand its range with two electric SUVs and an electric sedan, without forgetting the sports cars, since a battery-powered berlinetta designed with Alpine is planned, not to mention the Evija electric hypercar.
” I have mixed feelings. Obviously I find that sad, but on the other hand I know that Lotus will surprise us as it always has. So I can’t wait for the next models to arrive, but the Elise and company will always have a special place in my heart. “says Elisa Artioli.
