Hyundai’s Clever Power System Could Make a Two-Way Tailgate Easier to Use

Two ways to open

The patent builds on earlier Hyundai and Kia filings for a split tailgate with two opening directions. It could swing down from hinges at the bottom, or a section could pivot sideways on a vertical hinge to provide access to the bed.

The newly described feature is powered movement in either direction. Existing two-way tailgates from Ford, Honda and Ram require manual operation to open sideways; Ford alone offers powered raising and lowering.

One motor drives movement

A second motor operates the clutch that selects between the two outputs. Thus, the system has two motors, but only one supplies the force that moves the tailgate.

Hinge differs from rivals

In the application’s drawings, the vertical hinge sits at the seam between the two tailgate sections. Honda’s and Ram’s production designs place that hinge on the truck bed, while the Hyundai/Kia concept’s side-opening section latches to the box. Ford also has a vertical hinge in the middle of its tailgate, but its smaller panel is surrounded by more tailgate material on both sides.

Possible future applications

If Hyundai puts the concept into production, it would most likely appear on the mid-size body-on-frame pickup the company has promised. A separate patent describes a hardtop for a related SUV that would allow one person to assemble the roof. The two innovations could be offered on both new off-roaders, but there is no guarantee either will reach production.