After a few other final editions, Lotus decided to retire the Elise in a true Final Edition roadster that added a few extra ponies and added some changes to the car's look both in and outside.

By 2016, the Elise was already a car that could cope well with daily traffic situations, but it started to fade in terms of performance, so Lotus went back to its roots, shaved some weight from the car, and gave it a more powerful engine.

Lotus introduced the Series 3 for the Elise in 2010, a decade after launching the Series 2 into production, and it was mostly a refreshed version rather than a new model.

Lotus remained true to its beliefs when it refreshed the Elise for the 2008 model year, and besides adding a few neat visual options, it also improved the powertrain.

In 2001, Lotus introduced the Series 2 of the Elise, giving it an upgraded look that made the lightweight British sportscar even more desirable.

The Elise was one of the most important vehicles in the Lotus' history since it changed the company and led it into the third millennium with a lightweight, mid-engine roadster.