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2005 Mercury Meta One Concept

A Rolling Lab of Advanced Technology

Following a naming scheme that has Ford beginning each new vehicle designation with an "F", except for classic models such as the Mustang, Mercury now offers the Mountaineer, Monterey, Mariner, Montego, upcoming Milan, and now, the Meta.

In actuality the Meta, or more precisely the Meta One, is merely a concept, but it will most likely be the name the upscale Ford division uses to go to market with its Ford Freestyle based crossover utility.

Why does the name matter? Well, in the case of the Meta, its Greek translation means "transcends" or "goes beyond," which is an ideal designation

Currently the Meta One is merely a concept, but something similar will most likely become Mercurys first crossover SUV. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

for such a technologically advanced vehicle.

North American International Auto Show-goers in Detroit will be able to see the Meta One in the metal next week, although official photos of this concept have been floating around the internet for almost a month.

Its

The Meta One is Mercurys first concept car since the racy Messenger of 2003. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Mercurys first concept car since the racy Messenger of 2003 (see Concept archives for 2003 Mercury Messenger Concept); a car that lured people to Mercurys auto show stands for its dramatic styling and raw power.

The Meta One, on the other hand, is more of a scientific research vehicle, aimed at attracting show-goers on a cerebral level by promoting new methods

The Meta One is the worlds first use of a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) diesel-hybrid powertrain. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

of propulsion, such as the worlds first use of a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) diesel-hybrid powertrain, personal electronics such as a smarter navigation system, integrated personal organizer and reconfigurable displays, as well as active and passive safety advancements.

"Meta One is a valuable test-bed for advanced technologies allowing us to demonstrate future safety and powertrain

"The Mercury Meta One concept shows that advanced technologies that were developing promise the potential to deliver diesels that can be as clean as the cleanest gasoline engines," said Gerhard Schmidt, Ford Motor Company VP. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

technologies that exist only in theory and in laboratories today," commented Gerhard Schmidt, Ford Motor Company vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering.

Whats a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) diesel powertrain? Its a turbocharged diesel that makes a stump-pulling 431 lb-ft of torque yet still manages to be 97 percent cleaner than the Tier 1 emissions standard

The Meta One is equipped with a high tech Lane Departure Warning system. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

for NOx.

Ironically, it took a brand that doesnt even make a production diesel powerplant to show that diesels can potentially meet the strictest emissions standards when combined with a hybrid drivetrain and stringent after-treatment systems.

"As the worlds first PZEV capable diesel, the Mercury Meta One concept shows that advanced technologies that were developing promise the potential to deliver diesels that can be as clean as the cleanest gasoline engines," added Schmidt. "The torque of this engine, when

While some technologies are new to North America, Ford has derived many innovative features from production vehicles around the globe. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

combined with the modular hybrid-electric transmission, also provides excellent driving performance."

Considering that its 431 lb-ft of torque comes via a V6, and not a V10, is testament to the benefit of hybrid propulsion. The V6 is twin-turbocharged too, which allows for a smaller displacement resulting in lower fuel economy when the engine is under light loads.

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