The CMST carbon-fibre kit for the Mercedes-Benz W205 C-Class (shown on a white C200) is a small-aero package built around a two-piece carbon front lip, carbon front-bumper vent trims, carbon side-skirt lower lips, a carbon rear lip with square exhaust cut-outs, a carbon ducktail wing, and a distinctive transparent carbon bonnet with a clear central window. It is a bolt-on, cosmetic kit that sharpens the W205 without going widebody, and the see-through bonnet is the piece that sets it apart from a standard carbon bonnet. The driveline stays factory.
- Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, W205 (C200 / C300)
- Front: Two-piece carbon front lip, carbon bumper vent trims (two pieces)
- Bonnet: Carbon bonnet with a transparent central window and vents
- Sides & rear: Carbon side-skirt lower lips, carbon rear lip (square tips), carbon ducktail wing
- Finish: White body with clear-coated gloss carbon weave
This is a "small kit" in CMST's terms โ lip-and-trim aero rather than a widebody โ but the transparent bonnet makes it feel like a showcase build. Here is what each piece does and why the see-through bonnet is worth a closer look.
The kit, piece by piece
Two-piece carbon front lip and vent trims
The front wears a two-piece carbon lip that stacks two blades for a double-deck look, giving the W205's nose more depth and a defined shadow line. Paired with it are carbon vent trims (two pieces) that dress the lower bumper intakes. Together they make the front look lower and more purposeful while keeping the grille and headlights standard, and the lip takes the first contact on driveways before the painted bumper.
The transparent carbon bonnet
The standout piece is a carbon bonnet with a clear central window โ a transparent panel set into the carbon so you can see the top of the engine bay through the panel. Beyond the visual drama, the bonnet does the same job as any carbon bonnet: it replaces the heavy steel panel to take weight off the nose, and the vents help release engine-bay heat. The clear window is what makes this kit a genuine showpiece, turning a functional part into the car's signature detail.
Side-skirt lower lips
The side skirts here are lower-lip add-ons in carbon that mount under the factory sill, dropping the visual ride height and adding a carbon line along the flank without the bulk of a full skirt. On a compact sedan this is enough to make the side look lower and more connected front to rear, while keeping the kit subtle.
Carbon rear lip and ducktail wing
At the rear, a carbon lip with square exhaust cut-outs frames the dual outlets and squares off the bumper, while a carbon ducktail-style wing lifts the boot edge. The ducktail is a restrained choice that suits the W205's compact tail โ it adds stability and a sporting flick without the visual weight of a tall wing.
The parts list
For owners planning the same showcase build, here is the kit fitted to this C200, with the relevant CMST collections:
- Front lip (two-piece) โ carbon: see the CMST front lip range for Mercedes-Benz
- Bumper vent trims (two-piece) โ carbon
- Transparent carbon bonnet: see the CMST carbon bonnet range
- Side-skirt lower lips โ carbon
- Rear lip (square tips) โ carbon, plus carbon ducktail wing
The full set and per-piece options are in the CMST body kit collection for Mercedes-Benz.
Why carbon, and why the clear bonnet
Choosing carbon for a small kit is mostly a finish decision โ the lip, trims, skirts and rear pieces are about the exposed weave and the lower, sharper look they give a compact sedan, not about chasing weight on the few grams a small kit involves. The bonnet is the exception that genuinely earns its carbon: replacing the steel panel does take real mass off the front of the car, the most useful place to lose it, and the clear-window design turns that functional upgrade into the build's talking point. If you only do one carbon piece on a W205, the bonnet delivers the most โ visually and on the scales.
Living with a transparent bonnet
The clear-window bonnet is the headline piece, so it is worth knowing how to live with one. The window is typically a polycarbonate or acrylic panel bonded into the carbon shell, chosen because it is far more impact-resistant than glass and much lighter. A couple of practical points follow from that. First, clear plastic scratches more easily than automotive glass, so clean it with a soft microfibre and a plastic-safe cleaner rather than a gritty sponge. Second, because you can see into the engine bay, owners often dress the bay to suit โ a tidy engine cover and clean hoses make the window an asset rather than a giveaway. Heat is managed by the same vents that any carbon bonnet uses, so the window does not trap engine heat any more than a solid panel would. It is a showpiece, and treated as one it stays a talking point for years.
Looking after carbon in the Australian sun
Australian UV is hard on clear coats, and a transparent bonnet adds a clear plastic panel that also needs UV care. The clear coat on the carbon is UV-stable, but wash with a pH-neutral shampoo, shade or garage the car where you can, and avoid abrasive polishes on both the carbon and the window. The front lip benefits most from a ceramic coating or paint-protection film, as it takes the brunt of sun and stone chips. Keeping both the weave and the window clear is what keeps this build looking like a showpiece rather than a faded experiment.
Fitment and finish in Australia
The kit is model-specific to the W205 C-Class, so each carbon piece locates to factory mounting points and bolts or bonds on without cutting the car. The bonnet uses the original hinges, latch and strut points. Parts arrive clear-coated and ready to fit. We recommend professional fitment so panel gaps are even, the bonnet's safety catch and struts are checked, and the ducktail is mounted square. Because the build is cosmetic and bolt-on โ no change to ride height, lighting or driveline โ it keeps the car straightforward to register and insure. Keep your fitment paperwork, especially for the bonnet, as a documented professional fit is easier to declare to your insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the transparent bonnet road-legal and weatherproof?
The clear window is a sealed panel bonded into the carbon bonnet, designed to keep water out like any bonnet. As with any aftermarket bonnet, have it fitted professionally so the seals, safety catch and struts are correct, and check your state's rules on bonnet modifications before road use.
Does this kit fit the W205 C300 as well as the C200?
Yes. The C200 and C300 share the W205 sedan body, so the kit fits both, provided the front bumper trim (standard or AMG-Line) matches the front lip and vent trims you order.
Are the side skirts full skirts or lower lips?
On this build 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. Full skirt options are also available.
Will the carbon bonnet save much weight?
The carbon bonnet is noticeably lighter than the factory steel panel, and because it sits high and forward, that saving is felt more than the same weight removed elsewhere. The smaller lip and trim pieces are about looks rather than weight.
Can I fit the bonnet on its own?
Yes. The transparent bonnet is sold separately, so you can fit it alone as a centrepiece and add the lip, skirts, rear lip and ducktail later.
Build your W205
To plan a showcase W205 like this one, start with the CMST Mercedes-Benz body kit collection and talk to the team through the CMST collection. We will confirm fitment for your C-Class, help you spec the transparent bonnet and aero, and arrange professional fitment in Australia.
