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The CMST carbon-fibre small kit for the Mercedes-Benz CLA (four-door coupe) is a three-piece bolt-on aero set: a carbon front lip with integrated carbon canards, a carbon rear lip, and carbon side-skirt lower lips, shown here on a red CLA. It is the entry point into carbon for the CLA — a clean lip-and-skirt package that sharpens the car's lines without going widebody, fits over the standard bodywork, and leaves the driveline untouched. For owners who want carbon without committing to flared arches and a big wing, this is the sensible first step.

• Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz CLA, four-door coupe (C118; CLA 200 / CLA 250 / CLA 35-45)
• Front: Carbon front lip with integrated carbon canards (wind blades)
• Sides: Carbon side-skirt lower lips
• Rear: Carbon rear lip
• Finish: Clear-coated gloss carbon weave; bolt-on, no widebody

CMST describes this set as an appetiser before the main course — the same designers offer a full widebody for the CLA, but this small kit is for owners who want the carbon look in a daily-friendly form. Here is what the three pieces do and where this kit fits.

The three-piece small kit

Carbon front lip with canards

The front lip is the centrepiece. It runs across the lower bumper and integrates a pair of carbon canards (风刀, "wind blades") at the corners, so the front gets both a defined lower edge and a motorsport-style detail in one piece. On the CLA's already-rakish nose, the lip adds depth and a clear shadow line while the canards break up the bumper's width. It also does the practical job of taking the first scrape on driveways before the painted bumper.

Carbon side-skirt lower lips

The side pieces are lower-lip add-ons that mount under the factory sill rather than replacing the whole skirt. They drop the visual ride height and add a carbon line along the flank, which is exactly what a low coupe like the CLA wants — a horizontal accent that connects front to rear and makes the side look planted. Because they bolt under the existing sill, they keep the kit subtle and easy to fit.

Carbon rear lip

The rear lip squares off the bottom of the bumper and adds a carbon edge to match the front, so the car reads as a coherent set rather than a front-only job. It is a restrained finish that completes the look without the visual weight of a wing — in keeping with the small-kit brief.

The full kit, laid out

Seen together, the three pieces make clear how compact this package is — front lip with canards, side-skirt lips, and rear lip, all in carbon. It is a deliberately small footprint: enough to transform the car's stance, little enough to fit in an afternoon and live with every day.

The pieces are available individually or as the set. Start with the CMST front lip range for Mercedes-Benz for the lip-and-canard piece, browse the complete CMST body kit collection for Mercedes-Benz for the matching rear and side lips, and see finish options across the wider carbon fibre body kit range.

Small kit or full widebody?

The same CLA can be built two ways. This small kit is bolt-on carbon over the standard body — front lip, side lips, rear lip — with no arch work, no painting required on the carbon pieces, and no change to your wheel-and-tyre package. The widebody route adds flared arches, a vented bonnet and a large rear wing, and needs body-colour painting and a wider wheel setup. The small kit is the easier, lower-cost start, and nothing about it stops you adding more later — many owners fit the lips first and step up to the widebody when they are ready.

Why carbon for a small kit

On a lip kit, carbon is a finish choice rather than a weight one — three slim pieces will not change how a CLA weighs, so the reason to pick carbon is the exposed 2x2 twill and the lower, sharper look it gives a compact coupe. Dry carbon holds a clear, even weave under its clear coat and keeps its shape over time, which is why a small carbon kit reads as a premium detail rather than a cheap add-on, especially against a bold colour like this red.

What canards actually do

The canards on the front lip are styling-led on a street car, but it is worth understanding the real function so you can judge the look honestly. On a race car, canards generate a small amount of front downforce and help steer airflow around the front wheels to reduce lift. At legal road speeds the downforce they make is negligible, so on this CLA their job is visual — they add width and a motorsport signature to the bumper corners. That is a perfectly good reason to fit them; it is just honest to say the benefit is appearance rather than measurable grip. Because they sit at the leading corners, they also take light contact before the bumper, which is a minor practical plus.

Looking after carbon in the Australian sun

Australian UV is hard on clear coats, and a low lip kit lives in the firing line for both sun and stone chips. The clear coat on these CMST pieces is UV-stable, but the finish lasts longest if you wash with a pH-neutral shampoo, shade or garage the car where you can, and avoid abrasive polishes that cut the clear coat. A ceramic coating or paint-protection film on the front lip and canards is the single best step, since those low front pieces cop the most exposure. Looked after, the weave stays clear and glossy, which is the whole point of choosing carbon for a small kit.

Fitment and finish in Australia

The kit is model-specific to the C118 CLA, so each carbon piece locates to the factory body lines and bolts or bonds on without cutting the car. The carbon arrives clear-coated and ready to fit — no painting needed on the lips. We recommend professional fitment so the lip and canards sit symmetrically and the side and rear lips line up cleanly. Because it is cosmetic and bolt-on, with no change to ride height, lighting or driveline, it is one of the simplest ways to personalise a CLA and keep it roadworthy. Keep your fitment records, as a documented professional fit is easier to declare to your insurer and value at resale.

Frequently asked questions

Does this small kit fit the AMG CLA 35 and CLA 45?

It is built for the C118 CLA body shared by the range, but the AMG cars use a different front bumper, so confirm your exact trim and front fascia when ordering the front lip and canards. The side and rear lips suit the broader CLA body.

Do the carbon pieces need painting?

No. The lip, canards, side lips and rear lip are finished in clear-coated gloss carbon and fit as supplied — there is no paint step, unlike the body-coloured panels in a widebody kit.

Can I add the widebody later?

Yes. CMST offers a full widebody for the CLA, and this small kit does not lock you out of it — you can run the lips now and move to flared arches, a vented bonnet and a rear wing down the track.

Are the side pieces full skirts or lower lips?

They are lower-lip add-ons that mount under the factory sill, giving a carbon line and a lower look without replacing the whole skirt. This keeps the kit compact and easy to fit.

How long does fitment take?

As a bolt-on lip kit with no painting, a competent installer can usually fit the three pieces in a single session. Times vary by shop and by whether you add canards and trim alignment, so confirm with your fitter.

Build your CLA

To start a carbon CLA the easy way, browse the CMST Mercedes-Benz body kit collection and talk to the team through the CMST collection. We will confirm fitment for your C118, help you choose between the small kit and the widebody, and arrange professional fitment in Australia.