Patent ID: 9327775
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: B62D,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a first body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, and also having a second body end opposite of the first body end; a first lateral body side spanning a distance between the first body end and the second body end; a second lateral body side spanning the distance between the first body end and the second body end and disposed generally parallel to the first lateral body side; a first fascia arranged at the first body end, wherein the first fascia directs the oncoming ambient airflow around the first and second lateral body sides; a second fascia arranged at the second body end; a first side panel mounted to the vehicle body and configured to selectively deploy into ambient airflow aft of the second body end in a position along the first lateral body side, and to retract from the ambient airflow; and a second side panel mounted to the vehicle body and configured to selectively deploy into the ambient airflow aft of the second body end in a position along the second lateral body side, and to retract from the ambient airflow; wherein the first side panel and the second side panel provide an active lengthening of the vehicle body aft of the second body end to thereby reduce aerodynamic drag when each of the first and second side panels is deployed and positioned along the respective first and second lateral body sides; and wherein each of the first and second side panels selectively extends out of and retracts into the second fascia.