2005 Mercury Meta One Concept

Lastly, the Meta One features reconfigurable displays, meaning that the vehicle's primary instruments adapt to the size

The Meta One is merely a rolling test-bed of new technology, plus the forerunner of a future Mercury crossover expected to arrive for model year 2007. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

and shape of the driver, and adjust for optimal visibility and ergonomics.

The interesting thing about the Meta One is how each of its technologies could easily be adapted to any single Ford, Mercury or Lincoln production vehicle. In reality, the Meta One is merely the rolling test-bed, a forerunner of a future Mercury crossover expected to arrive for model year 2007.

From a design perspective the Meta One was purposely kept believable, or in other words it looks like something that could easily be currently on sale in a Mercury showroom. That's not to say it's not attractive. To my eyes the exact opposite is true. Its clean, understated

The Meta One looks like something that could easily be currently on sale in a Mercury showroom. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

lines, borrowed partially from Ford's new Freestyle crossover, look fresh and contemporary. Personally, I really like the direction North American Executive Director of Design Peter Horbury is taking the Mercury brand, and this concept typifies his urban-chic approach.

When it becomes a production vehicle, don't expect to see the requisite concept "candy" such as its rear-hinged "suicide" doors and oversized deep-dish wheels, but its vertically stacked headlamp clusters, chrome waterfall grille and brushed aluminum trim should make the transition to real life.