Tesla Roadster Hidden Active Wing Patent Revealed

Tesla’s long awaited Roadster could have one of the most advanced active aerodynamic systems ever fitted to a road car. A recently published Tesla patent reveals a hidden rear wing system designed to deliver huge amounts of downforce while remaining almost invisible when it is not needed.

The design uses a large main rear wing along with a smaller aerodynamic element positioned just ahead of it. During normal driving, the main wing can sit flush with the rear bodywork, helping preserve the Roadster’s clean shape. When extra grip is required, the wing rises from the body and moves into position.

According to the patent, deployment could take less than 3 seconds, while adjustments to the wing angle could happen in less than 0.25 second. This would allow the system to react quickly to changes in speed, braking and cornering.

The biggest number mentioned in the filing is 700 kilograms of potential downforce at high speed, equal to roughly 1,543 pounds. The system could also move into a low drag position for straight line performance, essentially giving the car an active Drag Reduction System.

Tesla describes a control system that could consider vehicle speed, acceleration, steering input, braking, Global Positioning System information and even data from the vehicle’s driver assistance sensors when deciding how to position the wing.

There is also an interesting safety feature. If the vehicle detects an imminent rear impact, the wing could rapidly retract to reduce the danger created by the extended aerodynamic structure.

Although the patent drawings strongly resemble a Tesla sports car, Tesla does not specifically confirm in the filing that this technology will appear on the production Roadster. Patents also do not guarantee that a feature will reach production.

Still, the design offers an intriguing look at the technology Tesla has been developing for a future high performance vehicle. If this system does make its way onto the Roadster, its hidden active wing could become one of the car’s most interesting engineering features.