GM Develops Active Aero System Designed for Drifting

Autoblog reports GM has filed a patent for active aero that adjusts spoilers and splitters to support drifting maneuvers in future Corvette models.

General Motors is looking at active aerodynamics from an unexpected angle — not just for lap times or top speed, but to assist controlled drifting. The company has filed a patent application describing “active downforce control for drifting maneuvers,” outlining how aerodynamic force could be managed specifically for sideways driving.

The concept centers on a dedicated controller connected to the steering system and pedals through sensors. By monitoring steering angle, throttle input, and brake application, the system can adjust movable aerodynamic components such as the front splitter and rear spoiler when a dedicated drift mode is activated. Instead of immediately correcting the slide through stability control, the vehicle would modify downforce to make the drift more precise and predictable.

Published materials related to the application describe detecting an intentional drift and aligning the behavior of active downforce elements with the driver’s inputs. In essence, the system evaluates the probability that a driver is initiating a controlled slide and adapts aerodynamic settings accordingly. Outside of drift mode, the same hardware could theoretically be used in reverse — helping to rein in an unwanted loss of traction.

According to industry reports, the filings are listed as US 2026/0028070 A1 and US 2026/0028071 A1, published in January 2026. The documents reference adjustable aerodynamic elements governed by driver inputs. While the patent illustrations depict a mid-engine vehicle reminiscent of a Corvette, the language does not limit the technology to a specific model or body style.

Active aerodynamics themselves are not new. In motorsport, systems that alter wing angles to balance drag and downforce — most famously DRS in Formula 1 — have long been used to manage performance. Road cars also employ movable aerodynamic devices to increase stability at speed or reduce drag when needed. GM’s approach, however, shifts the focus: aerodynamics become not only a tool for outright grip and acceleration, but also for controlled sideways motion.

Whether this concept will reach production remains uncertain. A patent application does not guarantee a future model will adopt the technology. Still, the direction is telling. As modern performance cars push well beyond four-figure horsepower figures, the systems responsible for controlling them must evolve in parallel. In that context, active aerodynamics that respond directly to a driver’s drifting inputs represent a logical extension of existing high-performance engineering.