Method and device for automatically closing a tailgate of a motor vehicle

A motor vehicle comprising:

• a tailgate;
• a body;
• and
• a device for automatically closing the tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising:
• a suspension strut and a power strut arranged on opposite first and second sides of the tailgate;
• a tailgate closing device comprising first and second closing elements on the tailgate and the body that engage during closing of the tailgate;
• and
• a controller configured to reduce torque acting via the power strut onto the tailgate during the closing of the tailgate before the first closing element engages the second closing element.

A method for automatically closing a tailgate of a motor vehicle which comprises a body and a tailgate closing device, comprising:

• providing the tailgate closing device with a first closing element situated on the tailgate and a second closing element situated on the body of the motor vehicle;
• providing a suspension strut situated on a first side of the tailgate and a power strut situated on a second side of the tailgate, which is opposite the first side, wherein the suspension strut and the power strut are both connected to the tailgate and to the body;
• engaging the first closing element and the second closing element into each other during the closing of the tailgate to effectuate the closure of the tailgate;
• and
• reducing the torque acting via the power strut onto the tailgate during the closing of the tailgate before the first closing element engages the second closing element when a distance between the first closing element and the second closing element is less than a threshold value.