Rear diffuser system for an automotive vehicle

A method of controlling a vehicle, comprising:

• providing a vehicle having an aft portion, an underbody portion, a panel pivotably coupled to the underbody portion proximate the aft portion, the panel having a fore edge and an aft edge and being pivotable about the fore edge, at least one actuator configured to move the panel between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a controller configured to control the at least one actuator;
• in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, automatically controlling the at least one actuator, via the controller, to move the panel from the stowed position to the deployed position, wherein the first operating condition comprises an anticipated rear impact;
• and
• in response to satisfaction of a second operating condition, automatically controlling the at least one actuator, via the controller, to move the panel from the deployed position to the stowed position, wherein in the stowed position the aft edge is spaced a first distance from a driving surface and in the deployed position the aft edge is spaced a second distance from the driving surface, the second distance being less than the first distance.