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METIS is one of the first three scientific instruments on the ELT, expected to see first light in 2025. METIS will provide diffraction limited imaging, coronagraphy, and low resolution slit spectroscopy over the 3 -19µm range. Furthermore, METIS will provide a unique combination of high resolution (R ~ 100,000) integral field spectroscopy and coronagraphy from 2.9 -5.3µm. The latter can be reconfigured to obtain a wider instantaneous wavelength coverage in exchange for integral field coverage. While METIS is a multi-purpose instrument for a wide range of infrared astronomy, its greatest strengths will be in the studies of exoplanets and proto-planetary disks.After two years into the preliminary design phase, the design of METIS has reached an advanced stage. This paper provides an update on the areas which have most advanced in the recent past: the main science drivers, the optical and opto-mechanical design, adaptive optics and the coronagraphy concept. We also describe the calibration of the instrument, give an overview of its observation modes, and present the schedule toward first light.

The Mid-Infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS) is one of the first generation science instruments on ESO's 39m Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). METIS will provide diffraction-limited imaging and medium resolution slitspectroscopy from 3 -13 microns (L, M, and N bands), as well as high resolution (R ~ 100,000) integral field spectroscopy from 2.9 -5.3 microns. Both imaging and IFU spectroscopy can be combined with coronagraphic techniques. After passing its preliminary design review (PDR) in May 2019, and the final design review (FDR) of its optical system in June 2021, METIS is now preparing for the FDR of its entire system in the fall of 2022, while the procurements of many optical components have already started. First light at the telescope is expected in 2028, after a comprehensive assembly integration and test phase. In this paper we focus mainly on the various design aspects, and present a status update on the final optical and mechanical design of METIS. We describe the conceptual setup of METIS, its key functional components, and the resulting observing modes. Last but not least, we present the expected scientific performance, in terms of sensitivity, adaptive optics, and high contrast imaging performance.