The latest news from Lotus concerns the final Elise to roll out of the factory. The model’s four-wheeled swan song, a Sport 240 variant, is decked out in a color the automaker calls Championship Gold, which may reveal a touch of chutzpah, as it suggests a competitive foregone conclusion.

More interesting, however, is the story of the ultimate intersection of the roadster’s name and its delivery destiny. According to Lotus, the model took inspiration from the name of former company chairman Romano Artioli’s granddaughter, Elisa. For the last example of the Elise to be handed over to its namesake is suitably operatic.

The last Elise brings to a close a model history that began in 1996. The model features a mid-engine design, and a lightweight fiberglass and aluminum body and chassis. The Sport 240’s supercharged 1.8L four-cylinder propels the car to 62 MPH in 4.5 seconds.