Abstract: An underbody air and thermal management system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes an aero shield having a louver system selectively displaceable between an open position and a closed position. The system also includes an air dam that is selectively displaceable between a home position and a deployed position. Still further, the system includes a control system to displace the louver system between the open position and the closed position and the air dam between the home position and the deployed position so as to provide the best possible balance between aerodynamic airflow, under vehicle ground clearance and under hood or engine bay cooling.