Further details of the mysterious 'Meta' city car, due to be unveiled at the Bologna Motorshow on 1 December, have emerged after confusing initial reports suggestive of an association with Fiat. Along with fresh images, it has now become clear that the Meta is the product of Italian company "Garage Italia".

With the Meta, Garage Italia respond to the need of a capable and easy to drive form of urban transport. The design of the Meta not only focuses on good street performance, but also on the requirement for the vehicle to tackle steep slopes. The Meta also makes use of a unique and sophisticated patented gearbox design, which functions in similar fashion to an automatic transmission, allowing not only constant traction and continuity in driving motion, but also superb engine braking when coasting. Along with the short front overhang, the suspension design used on the Meta focuses on off-road performance. The rear suspension in particular is interesting, being of the horizontal geometry type. Furthermore, the Meta makes use of four damped engine supports, drastically reducing the level of engine vibration noticed inside the car. With small external dimensions, safety becomes paramount, and in similar style to the solid Smart, the Meta also makes use of a strong structure, although it is of cage construction with tubular cells. 

Three different engines will be available, an electric 15 kW unit, a 505cc petrol engine, and a 505cc diesel. Fuel consumption figures are surprisingly low, at approximately 3.5 litres per 100 km for the Diesel version, and 5 litres per 100 km for the petrol. The maximum speeds vary according to version, with the 4 kW and 5 kW models capable of 45 and 85 km/h respectively.
 

The development of the electric engine model included the adoption of a water tight seal, resulting in no need for maintenance and greater overall mechanical durability. Moreover, the low volume and weight of the block means that heat is dispersed quickly, leading to high overall efficiency. 

The idea of rationality and technology continues on the inside, also representing the primary characteristic of the Meta interior, with ease of use being of foremost importance. Elegant translucent, yet sporty seats, also exclusively patented by Garage Italia, stand out, with the passenger one also easily adaptable to facilitate the transport of bulky objects.

Five different packages will be available; Basic, Safari, Sport, Top and Electric, each offering a different set of equipment. The top package, for example, has a sun-roof and allows for total removal of its windows for summer use. The Safari is equipped with an 'off-road' kit featuring bull bar, protected headlights, a roof rack, raised ride height and chunky tyres for cross-country driving. In contrast, the Sport model is more adapted to exciting driving on regular roads. The Meta will be offered in five colours; sunflower yellow, race red, electric blue, desert sand, and 'viva' silver, whilst the seats are available in meta green, sea blue and clear grey.