A new aerodynamic idea for pickups
The Stellantis group has filed a patent for a design of an adjustable side-mounted tonneau cover for a truck. This cover is capable of rising at an angle to improve the vehicle’s aerodynamic efficiency while in motion. The system’s internal panels move, changing the shape of the cover on the go.
Combining practicality and efficiency
In the constant search for ways to make pickups more streamlined and intelligent, Stellantis is experimenting with a new smart tonneau cover. It combines the practicality of conventional designs with the aerodynamic advantages of a sloped, fastback-style cover, similar to that offered by the Tesla Cybertruck.
The company filed the design patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on December 25. The application included diagrams and a detailed description of the system, which appears significantly different from anything currently on the market.
A Ford F-150 with a side-mounted cover in the style of the Mustang Mach 1 simply looks odd
System operation principle
Typically, the tonneau cover lies flat across the entire pickup bed, performing the functions of a standard unit. However, if the driver wishes to maximize aerodynamic efficiency while driving, triangular movable panels in the body sides are activated.
These internal panels can rise upward together with a third panel located near the rear wall of the body, transitioning the cover into an angled configuration. As sources report, this transformation is designed to reduce air resistance while the vehicle is in motion.
Illustration by Carscoops
Design advantages and compromises
Such a design not only improves aerodynamics compared to a flat cover but also increases the volume of cargo that can be stored and protected in the bed. The patent also shows a small flat aerodynamic spoiler that can be extended at the rear of the cover.
The design compromise is that owners will have to put up with a cover that makes a regular pickup look like an imitation of the Tesla Cybertruck. Of course, this cover could work not only on future electric pickups from Stellantis but also on current models with internal combustion engines, contributing to better fuel efficiency.
The future of the innovation
As with many patents, there is no guarantee that this concept will enter series production. Even if it does, it is unlikely to be standard equipment for future models. If Stellantis proceeds down this path, one should expect this angled tonneau cover to appear as an expensive option, not as factory-standard equipment.
Similar technical solutions demonstrate how automakers are trying to adapt traditional vehicle classes, such as pickups, to modern demands for efficiency and environmental friendliness. The development of adjustable aerodynamic elements could become an intermediate step between conventional cars and fully optimized, low-drag models of the future. The success of such initiatives often depends not only on technical perfection but also on the market’s readiness to accept changes in the appearance and functionality of familiar vehicles.