Stellantis is looking into an unconventional new way to make pickup trucks more aerodynamic, filing a patent for a shape-shifting tonneau cover that could alter how trucks look and perform on the road.
The idea blends the everyday usefulness of a traditional flat bed cover with the airflow advantages of a sloped, fastback-style design, similar in concept to what Tesla has done with the Cybertruck, though the visual result may not appeal to everyone.
The automaker submitted the patent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on December 25. The documents include illustrations and a detailed technical breakdown of the system, and the design stands apart from anything currently offered in the pickup accessory market.
Under normal conditions, the cover sits flat across the truck bed, operating like a conventional tonneau cover. When improved aerodynamic performance is desired, however, the system changes shape. Inside the bed walls are triangular movable panels that can be repositioned while the vehicle is in motion.
These panels are designed to rise upward, working in conjunction with an additional panel near the rear wall of the bed. Together, they transform the cover into a sloped, angled profile. According to Mopar Insiders, which first uncovered the patent filing, this reconfiguration is intended to reduce aerodynamic drag while driving.
Beyond lowering drag compared to a flat cover, the design could also expand the amount of usable, protected cargo space in the bed. The patent images also depict a small, flat aerodynamic spoiler at the rear of the cover, which could be deployed to further manage airflow.
The downside is largely visual. With the cover in its angled position, a conventional pickup could end up resembling a budget take on the Tesla Cybertruck, a look that won’t resonate with all truck buyers.
Still, the concept isn’t limited to electric pickups. Stellantis could theoretically apply it to internal combustion models as well, where improved aerodynamics would translate into better fuel economy.
As is often the case with patent filings, there’s no assurance this design will ever reach production. Even if it does, it’s unlikely to appear as standard equipment. Should Stellantis decide to move forward, the adjustable, sloped tonneau cover would almost certainly be offered as a premium, optional add-on rather than a default feature.
