Patent ID: 8794363

Claim:
A motor vehicle, comprising: a front end; a radiator arranged in the front end; an air inlet duct in the front end and extending to the radiator, a radiator shutter arranged in the air inlet duct, the radiator shutter having adjustable cooling air flaps that are movable between an open position that permits air flow to the radiator and increases front axle lift and a closed position that blocks air flow to the radiator and decreases front axle lift; a U-shaped, downwardly open, adjustable flow duct, at least part of the adjustable flow duct being between the radiator and a wheel guard of the vehicle for providing air flow to the wheel guard; an air-guiding device arranged on an underbody of the vehicle between the radiator and the wheel guard, the air-guiding device being movable between a first active position where the air-guiding device forms an upwardly curved, downwardly convex air-guiding surface that permits air flow from an underside of the vehicle, into the adjustable flow duct and to the wheel guard with reduced front axle lift and a second active position where the air-guiding device closes the adjustable flow duct and defines a level air-guiding surface substantially aligned with the underbody and with increased front axle lift; and a control device operative for adjusting the air-guiding device between the first active position and the second active position depending on a position of the cooling air flaps of the radiation shutter to avoid an excessive increase of front axle lift that would be caused by a simultaneous opening of the cooling air flaps and movement of the air guiding device to the second active position.