A patent filed by Tesla reveals a two-piece active rear wing design for the upcoming Roadster. The assembly is designed to sit flush with the vehicle body when not in use and can be fully deployed in less than three seconds. The system utilizes a four-bar linkage to maintain a gap of 3 to 15 millimeters between the main element and the leading-edge slat to optimize airflow.
The aerodynamic system is capable of adjusting its angle in under 0.25 seconds. It operates based on data inputs including vehicle speed, steering angle, braking, GPS location, and autonomous sensor readings. The patent also details an automatic switch to a track-oriented mode based on the car's location.
The design features two primary performance modes. A drag reduction system (DRS) setting produces 0 kg of downforce to minimize drag on straightaways. Conversely, a high-downforce mode generates up to 700 kg, or 1,543 pounds, of downforce at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Deploying the wing adds 350 drag counts, while returning to the low-drag position reduces drag by 250 counts.
The patent includes a mechanical safety feature that automatically retracts the wing into the bodywork during a central or corner impact. The application, titled 'Deployable and Active Rear Wing Assembly with Safety Features,' was filed in August 2025 and published by the US Patent and Trademark Office on September 24, 2026. Inventors listed are David Lemire and James Michael Arthur Crook.
