Vehicle rear step and diffuser system

A deployable rear step and diffuser system for a vehicle having a frame and a rear bumper or fascia, the system comprising:

• a rear step and diffuser configured to slidably couple to the frame at a rear of the vehicle and including a lower diffuser surface and an upper step surface;
• and
• an actuator operably coupled to and configured to move the rear step and diffuser between (i) a retracted position where the rear step and diffuser is nested beneath the vehicle, and (ii) a deployed position where the rear step and diffuser extends outwardly from the rear of the vehicle such that the lower diffuser surface functions as a diffuser to reduce drag and smooth airflow around the vehicle, and the upper step surface provides a user stepping surface to facilitate access to a cargo area of the vehicle,
• wherein the rear step and diffuser further includes first and second extension beams configured to couple to the frame, and
• wherein the actuator comprises:
• a motor;
• a damper operably coupled to the motor;
• and
• an actuator arm coupled between the damper and one of the first or second extension beams,
• wherein the motor is configured to extend and retract the actuator arm to deploy and retract the rear step and diffuser.

A vehicle comprising:

• a frame;
• a rear bumper or fascia;
• and
• a deployable rear step and diffuser system, comprising:
• a rear step and diffuser slidably coupled to the frame proximate the rear bumper or fascia, and including a lower diffuser surface and an upper step surface;
• and
• an actuator operably coupled to and configured to move the rear step and diffuser between (i) a retracted position where the rear step and diffuser is nested beneath the vehicle, and (ii) a deployed position where the rear step and diffuser extends outwardly from a rear of the vehicle such that the lower diffuser surface functions as a diffuser to reduce drag and smooth airflow around the vehicle, and the upper step surface provides a user a stepping surface to improve access to a cargo area of the vehicle.