See the WORLD'S first pictures of the new Lotus Emira

Around 250 people descended on Lotus' Hethel HQ, where the Emira was finally unveiled after three years in the making.

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The car - for sale for around £60,000 - has been shrouded in secrecy until the VIP launch. The event beamed Norfolk live around the world including on two massive billboards in Los Angeles and London.

This newspaper was given a special preview of the Emira, which had been driven around the test track earlier in the day by racing car driver Jenson Button.

Jenson Button driving the new Emira (Image: Supplied)

Jenson Button in the new Emira at Lotus' HQ in Hethel (Image: Supplied)

The new Lotus Emira in production at Hethel. (Image: Archant)

Mr Button was present as both a customer of Lotus and through a working relationship. His JBXE Racing team and Radford coachbuilding firm have partnered with Lotus.

Lotus managing director Matt Windle and the new Emira (Image: Archant)

Matt Windle, Lotus managing director, who lives in Norfolk, said it was a chance to show the world what the car firm could achieve.

Lotus managing director Matt Windle and the new Emira (Image: Archant)

"It’s been in the making for three years and now we are showing the world what we are capable of.

"I'm immensely proud and very thankful to the fantastic team at Lotus."

Matt Windle, Lotus managing director (Image: Archant)

The new Lotus Emira being driven around the Hethel test track (Image: Archant)

The new Emira (Image: Archant)

The new Lotus Emira (Image: Archant)

Norfolk-based car manufacturer Lotus achieves best sales since 2011 (Image: Archant)

Developed under the Type 131 codename, the Emira, meaning 'commander' will be the final petrol-only Lotus, with all future models either hybrid or fully electric. It's priced at around £60,000.

The new Emira (Image: Archant)

New Lotus Emiras in production at the new facility at Hethel. (Image: Archant)

The Lotus Emira in the production line. This facility is part of a new £100m investment at Hethel. Parts are moved through the process using automated equipment. (Image: Archant)

It comes after a £100m investment at Hethel and Mr Windle also said Lotus was now looking to recruit 200 new workers to be trained in-house.

The new Lotus Emira being driven around the Hethel test track (Image: Archant)

The new Lotus Emira (Image: Archant)

Jenson Button putting the new Emira through its paces (Image: Supplied)

The plan is to build around 20,000 of the Emiras over the next five-six years with the biggest market being in the US as well as Japan and Europe. The first of the new cars should be delivered to customers next April.