The Mercedes-AMG CLA Class is rightly called a “pocket rocket.” It packs the most powerful production four-cylinder engine in a compact coupe-sedan, delivering supercar-level performance with everyday practicality.
But for the regular AMG enthusiast, perfection is never out of reach. If you’re trying to improve its attention-grabbing style, get even more out of the already stunning performance, or just differentiate your ride from all the others out there on the road, then proper mods are a must.
This guide is created for all those CLA45 AMG enthusiasts out there, so they know what the most effective mods to get are. Here is a list of our favourite mods that visibly change the way you drive.
Exterior Mods for the Mercedes CLA-Class & CLA45 AMG
The CLA45 has a sporty, aggressive appearance right out of the box. But the right exterior additions can make it look go from sporty to savage. These mods are really about drawing attention and honing the aerodynamic character of the car.
Mirror Caps
If you want to make your CLA45 look better, one of the easiest things to do is simply replace the boring factory mirror covers with carbon fiber ones. Mirror caps can improve the aesthetics of your vehicle and elevate it to the next level.
Why it's a great mod:
- Instant Visual Upgrade: The carbon fiber texture with a high-quality gloss finish provides an easy and instant upgrade to your vehicle's appearance.
- Lighter in Weight: Carbon fiber is lighter than stock, which falls within the weight of performance driving.
- OEM+ Fitment: High precision, high quality machining ensures a perfect fit and perfect profile of the vehicle's body while staying lower profile than the stock caps.
Upgraded Headlights
Your CLA’s headlights are its eyes, and upgrading them will give your vehicle’s front end an entirely new look. Upgrading from the factory halogen headlights to any custom setup not only increases your visibility, but it also gives your car that much more of an aggressive front end.
Why it's a great mod:
- Higher Brightness: LED lights are brighter, whiter, and far more effective than the factory-installed lens - ensuring a safe travel on those dark roads and letting your vehicle be seen better.
- Contemporary Styling: The unique LED DRL elements, especially on the W118 set up, will set your CLA apart from the rest, keeping it looking fresh and more advanced.
- Custom: Some of these alternatives even have distinctive lighting styles and blacked-out housings to help it stand out.
This is an ideal mod for base-model CLA owners looking for a tech and style upgrade, or anyone feeling an itch to sharpen up their car’s front-end identity.
AMG Front Grilles
The Mercedes CLA AMG front grille is already a work of art. And now you can make it your own. Everything from body-colored grille accents to gloss or matte black finishing grilles completely transforms the car.
Why it's a great mod:
- Get the Look You Want: A blackout grille adds an aggressive look, and a color-coded accent grill brings out a touch of elegance.
- Better Looks: Your factory grille is prone to pitting and fading with age. The new grille makes your vehicle look more like new, but without the dealership's premium equipment addons.
- Simple Install: For the most parts, this is an easy mod that makes a huge visual statement.
CLA Spoilers
Don't mistake a properly designed trunk spoiler for mere show; it generates real downforce at speed, which helps improve rear-end stability. The CLA45 PSM spoiler also helps accentuate its coupe-like shape and performance intentions.
Why it's a great mod:
- Improved Aerodynamics: It works to push down on the rear tyres, giving better traction under hard acceleration, high-speed cornering.
- Sport Profile: Adds a finished and aggressive look to the car's sporty profile, including making it look lower, wider, and ready for the road.
- Flexibility: From a lipspoiler and subtle ducktail to extreme styles, you can choose your aggression level.
Performance Mods for the CLA-Class/CLA45 AMG
As sharp as the outside of the CLA45 can get, it's what's under the hood that can differentiate it from good to exceptional. While already a beast on the road, these power-centric mods are all aimed at adding more performance, response, and driving fun.
AMG Performance Downpipes
The downpipe is the restrictive part of the exhaust. No other single bolt-on is so effective and has the power to change the character of your CLA45’s M139 engine, while at the same time it increases horsepower even more.
Why it's a great mod:
- Significant Power Gains: By decreasing the exhaust backpressure, a faster and more efficient turbocharger operation is achieved, which can deliver much more power and a better fuel economy upgrade.
- Enhanced Sound: A downpipe unlocks the tone of your exhaust; you will not believe the sound of your turbo spooling with this downpipe.
- Base for Tuning: This modification is a must for tuning.
It’s an ideal enhancement for drivers who want maximum horsepower gains and the strongest performance return for their money.
AMG Sport Exhaust System
The roar of an AMG is in its very soul. The factory mufflers are fine, but the full valved sport exhaust system lets you really hear what that 2.0L turbocharged engine can do.
With a deep, throaty growl at idle and explosive pops on upshifts, the right exhaust turns every drive into a thrilling experience.
Why it's a great mod:
- Unforgettable Soundtrack: Increases the bark of the AMG, decreases muffling, and adds a deeper splash of sound for an enhanced driving experience.
- Performance & Weight: Most systems weigh less than the stock exhaust, and some actually impressed us with the power gains they provided from just a little backpressure.
- Valved Volume Control: Our systems have electronic control valves so you can go from a gentlemanly “comfort” setting to a boisterous “sport” mode at the push of a button.
High-Performance Intercooler
With some of these upgrades, you’re really unlocking more power, so cooling off becomes another crucial factor to consider. That’s where a high-performance intercooler comes in.
The stock intercooler does a decent job, but under heavy driving or in warmer conditions, it can struggle to keep intake temperatures low. An upgraded intercooler not only improves cooling efficiency but also ensures your car maintains consistent power delivery.
Why it's a great mod:
-
Consistent Power: Cooler intake air means denser air for combustion, which helps the engine produce more power for longer periods.
- Improved Reliability: Reduces heat soak, keeping the engine and turbocharger running efficiently even during spirited driving.
It’s one of those upgrades you don’t see but definitely feel - especially when you’re chasing reliable, repeatable performance.
Final thoughts
Your Mercedes-AMG CLA45 is a high-performance machine in its own right, but the potential for aftermarket customizations can make it unique to you and add even more performance.
Whether you kick off your build with something visual like carbon fiber mirror caps or a new grille, or dive straight in for more power with an aggressive downpipe and intercooler, each one makes it that much easier to create your ideal interpretation of this pocket rocket.
