Variable-width aerodynamic spoiler assemblies and control logic for motor vehicles

A motor vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle body with opposing front and rear ends;
• an active spoiler assembly located proximate the rear end of the vehicle body, the active spoiler assembly including:
• a main body rigidly mounted to the vehicle body, extending transversely across the rear end of the motor vehicle, the main body having an elongated construction with opposing first and second longitudinal ends;
• first and second fins each movably attached to a respective one of the first and second longitudinal ends of the main body;
• and
• first and second fin actuators mounted to the main body or the vehicle body and each attached to a respective one of the first and second fins;
• and
• a vehicle controller communicatively connected to the first and second fin actuators, the vehicle controller being programmed to:
• direct the first fin actuator to independently move the first fin along a first rectilinear path between respective first retracted and extended positions, and
• direct the second fin actuator to independently move the second fin along a second rectilinear path between respective second retracted and extended positions.

A method of assembling an active spoiler assembly for modifying aerodynamic performance of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including a vehicle body with opposing front and rear ends, the method comprising:

• rigidly mounting a main body of the active spoiler assembly to the vehicle body such that the main body extends transversely across the motor vehicle, the main body having an elongated construction with opposing first and second longitudinal ends;
• movably attaching first and second fins of the active spoiler assembly to the first and second longitudinal ends of the main body, respectively;
• and
• attaching first and second fin actuators of the active spoiler assembly to the vehicle body and to the first and second fins, respectively,
• wherein the first fin actuator is configured to selectively move the first fin between respective first retracted and extended positions, and
• wherein the second fin actuator is configured to selectively move the second fin between respective second retracted and extended positions.