Stellantis Patents a Car Tailgate That Flips Over the Roof

Stellantis has filed a new patent that could shake up the tailgate wars, but not for a pickup truck. The patent, discovered by CarBuzz, comes from the French arm of the company, which handles brands like Peugeot and Citroën. It’s designed for a car, specifically a sedan or hatchback.

The idea splits the trunk lid or hatch into two pieces. The lower section folds down like a pickup’s tailgate, allowing longer loads to rest on it, possibly extending into the rear seat if folded down. The upper section rotates far beyond a normal trunk lid, flipping over the roof and potentially lying flat against it.

To keep the open hatch from slamming shut at speed, the patent shows a bar and loop that lock into a slot on the roof. This holds the hatch securely in both directions, preventing it from bouncing or closing in the wind. For drivers who struggle with heavy lids, the patent also hints at a motor to assist opening and closing.

CarBuzz notes this is the first time they’ve seen a latch system for an open trunk or hatch, adding a level of safety for people who already haul oversized items with ropes. However, patent filings don’t guarantee production, and Stellantis may simply be protecting intellectual property.

The patent was filed with France’s INPI.