A new Stellantis patent reveals a tailgate design that could allow the hatch of an SUV or van to slide forward over the roof while remaining open. The system is designed to make it easier to carry longer items while also addressing aerodynamic and safety concerns created by driving with the hatch open.
Stellantis Develops a Sliding Hatch Design
The patent comes just weeks after CarBuzz uncovered another Stellantis patent showing a device designed to attach a fully open hatchback to the roof of a vehicle. This latest invention takes the concept further by combining a hatch with a sliding door mechanism.
The basic idea is straightforward: opening the hatch would create additional space for transporting longer items that cannot fit completely inside an SUV or van. Those items could extend beyond the rear of the vehicle while the hatch remains open.
However, driving with an open hatch creates several problems. The tailgate extends beyond the rear of the vehicle and can bounce up and down in ways the hinges were not designed to handle, creating a potential safety concern.
How the Sliding Hatch Works
Instead of simply remaining behind the vehicle, the patented hatch would slide forward over the roof through a new mechanism. It would not sit completely over the roof, however. Part of the tailgate would rest on the roof while the remainder would remain in the air, largely following the rear profile of the vehicle.
That arrangement creates another challenge because the hatch cannot sit flush against the roof. The resulting gap could allow air to enter and cause the tailgate panel to act like a wing, generating lift at the rear of the vehicle.
According to the patent concept, that lift could affect vehicle stability or potentially pull the tailgate away from its latches.
To address the issue, the design incorporates a flap that covers the gap between the hatch and the roof. The flap is intended to keep air out and direct airflow over the outside of the hatch, improving aerodynamic performance, stability and safety.
How Stellantis’ Design Differs From Nissan’s
Nissan recently patented a similar hatch concept, but the Stellantis design differs in several ways.
Nissan’s hatch would always have to swing up and over the roof, making the system less suitable for vehicles being parked beneath an overhang. The Stellantis design would only move over the roof when needed.
The Stellantis concept also does not require the large roof cutouts used for Nissan’s mechanism.
Potential Applications for Stellantis Vehicles
The patented system could provide another option for carrying oversized items when additional rear cargo space is needed. While the concept is not described as revolutionary, it could offer a practical solution if a vehicle needs to be driven with its hatch open.
One potential concern is how the system would work when a roof box is installed. A possible approach would be to prevent the tailgate from sliding backward when a roof box is present, helping avoid accidental damage.
The concept could potentially make vehicles such as a Pacifica or even Dodge GLH more practical, although the patent does not establish that the system will reach production.
