On September 24, 2026, Tesla US application 2026/0285418 A1 was published for a system called Deployable and Active Rear Wing Assembly with Safety Features. The document describes an active rear wing consisting of a main element and a small front slat. When folded, the structure practically merges with the body panel.
After activation, the mechanism extends the rear wing upwards and backwards, and can then change its angle of attack. Tesla describes several operating modes: from minimal air resistance to a high downforce configuration. The application also mentions a DRS mode, in which downforce can be reduced to zero.
The most unusual figure from the document is up to 700 kg of downforce at maximum speed. Tesla provides this figure for the maximum aerodynamic load mode and separately indicates speeds over 100 mph, however, this is a declared characteristic of the patented design, not a confirmed indicator of a production car.
The system should receive data on speed, acceleration, steering angle, braking, and vehicle position. The patent also provides for communication with driver assistance systems. If a collision threat is detected, the mechanism can retract the wing to reduce the likelihood of damage.
The patent drawings show a low two-door car, externally resembling the new Roadster. However, the name Roadster is not directly used in the application, so it is not yet possible to definitively link the described design with a production car. The patent publication appeared a week before the planned October 1 presentation of the new generation Roadster.
If the system actually appears on the Roadster, it will allow one car to automatically change its aerodynamic balance depending on the driving mode: reducing drag on the straight and increasing downforce during braking or fast cornering.
Read more on the topic:
- Tesla Roadster finally gets a premiere date: the sports car will be shown on October 1 after nine years of waiting
- Tesla again postponed the Roadster: why the company's most anticipated sports car hasn't been shown for nine years
- Tesla built a line for the new Roadster, but the supercar still remains a "ghost"