Woman who gave Lotus Elise its name reunited with first car

Elisa Artioli – the girl after whom the Lotus Elise was named – has returned to Hethel to drive some Lotus sports cars on track

Elisa Artioli at Lotus HQ

More than 22 years after the launch of Lotus’ iconic back-to-basics sports car, the woman after whom it was named has returned to Norfolk to meet the Elise.

Elisa Artioli was the granddaughter of Romano Artioli, chairman of Lotus in 1995. Back then she was a little girl and can be seen posing with her granddad on the first production Elise.

As well as taking the Exige Sport 410 and Evora GT410 Sport for her first drive around Hethel, she was also reunited with that original Elise.

There’s no word yet on whether Elisa’s more hardcore brother, Exige, is planning a trip any time soon…

Read more:

Related Articles

Ethan Jupp
Ethan Jupp
I'm Content Editor at MR. Road trips music and movies are my vices. Perennially stuck between French hot hatches and Australian muscle cars.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Used car sales grow for the third year running

Used car sales were up by 2.2 percent in 2025, as 7.8 million secondhand cars changed hands. It marks the third consecutive year of growth.

Toyota extends three-year fixed price insurance offer

Previously due to finish in January 2026, Toyota has made its fixed-price insurance deal available until the end of March.

How to use voice commands with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Voice commands are convenient and can make driving safer. We explain how to use them in the car via your Apple or Android smartphone.

Hyundai plans five-car new model charge: what is coming and when?

A flurry of important new Hyundais will be heralded by the important new Ioniq 3, due to be revealed at the Milan Design Show in April.
spot_img