Ambient lighting can make a noticeable difference to the interior of a Mercedes-Benz, particularly at night. Some cars left the factory without ambient lighting at all, while earlier systems may offer only one or three colours compared with the much wider choice available in later Mercedes models.
Depending on the model, year and equipment already fitted, Braybrooks can retrofit a complete ambient lighting system, upgrade an existing system or add illuminated features such as air vents, dashboard trims, speaker grilles and motorised tweeters.
How is Mercedes ambient lighting controlled?
This depends on the age of the vehicle and the infotainment system fitted.
On many later Mercedes models, additional menus can be programmed into the vehicle settings so that colour and lighting options can be controlled through the existing infotainment system. Newer MBUX-equipped cars can offer 64 colours, with some installations also supporting multi-colour combinations and animations.
Earlier models work differently. For example, some Mercedes vehicles fitted with NTG4.5 use a discreetly positioned button to change the colour, while others provide lighting controls through the instrument cluster and steering wheel buttons.
This is why the exact model, production year and infotainment system need to be checked before choosing an ambient lighting upgrade.
A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLA
Braybrooks offers ambient lighting retrofits for the Mercedes A-Class W176, B-Class W246, CLA C117 and GLA X156.
These installations can add lighting to areas such as the interior door handles and front footwells, with dashboard lighting available on suitable models. Optional illuminated air vents can also be added.
The way the system operates depends on the infotainment system. Earlier NTG4.5 vehicles generally use a discreet button for colour selection, while later NTG5.1 cars can have a 12-colour menu added to the vehicle settings.
Newer models offer more extensive lighting. The A-Class W177 from 2019 onwards and CLA C118 from 2020 onwards can be fitted with 64-colour systems, including lighting around the centre console, doors, footwells and dashboard. Depending on specification, multi-colour operation can also be added.
GLA and GLB 247
The newer Mercedes GLA H247 and GLB X247 can also be fitted with a 64-colour ambient lighting system.
These installations can illuminate the centre console, door trims, door handles, storage areas and footwells, with additional dashboard components used to extend the lighting across the front of the cabin.
Controls are added to MBUX, allowing the colours to be adjusted through the touchscreen or central touchpad. Multi-colour operation and animations are also supported.
C-Class and GLC
The Mercedes C-Class W205 and GLC X253 have some of the most extensive ambient lighting options offered by Braybrooks.
A complete 64-colour installation can add lighting around the centre console, doors, footwells, cupholder and centre armrest. Cars already fitted with the earlier three-colour system can also have their LED units upgraded for brighter illumination and a much wider choice of colours.
There are several additional options for these models, including illuminated dashboard trims, front and rear turbo-style air vents, speaker grilles and motorised 3D or 4D tweeters. Some accessories are designed to work alongside an existing ambient lighting system, while a full system can be added separately to suitable vehicles.
Newer C-Class W206 models can also be fitted with illuminated turbo vents and 4D motorised tweeters, with the lighting synchronised to the car’s ambient lighting system.
E-Class and CLS
Ambient lighting upgrades are available for Mercedes E-Class W212 and CLS C218 models from 2012 onwards, subject to the equipment already fitted.
These systems make use of existing light tubes where present in areas such as the doors, handles and dashboard, while additional illumination can be added to the footwells.
NTG4.5-equipped cars use the vehicle’s dashboard menus and steering wheel controls. Later NTG5.1 vehicles can have a 12-colour option added to the vehicle settings within the infotainment system.
Later E-Class W213 models have a different range of upgrades available, including illuminated turbo vents, seat-back strips, speaker grilles and motorised 3D tweeters. The E-Class W214 can also be fitted with ambient-lit 4D tweeters.
S-Class
Braybrooks offers ambient lighting upgrades for several generations of Mercedes S-Class.
For the W221, LED lighting can be installed through the doors, door pockets, footwells and lower dashboard, with control through the steering wheel buttons.
The later S-Class W222 can have a much more extensive ambient lighting installation, covering areas including the doors, rear parcel shelf, centre console, headlining and front and rear footwells. Colour and brightness controls are added to the vehicle menus.
Additional options for the W222 include motorised 3D tweeters and illuminated turbo-style air vents. These accessories can work with the car’s existing ambient lighting so that their colour and brightness follow the rest of the system.
SLK and SLC
Mercedes SLK R172 models from 2012–2015 can be fitted with a single-colour red ambient lighting system. Lighting is added to areas including the dashboard, door handles, grab handles, A-pillars and footwells, with additional controls programmed into the instrument cluster.
For the later SLC R172 from 2016–2020, the standard retrofit offers three colours: red, yellow and white. Light tubes can be incorporated into the dashboard, door handles and grab handles, with additional illumination in the footwells.
GLE and GLE Coupé
Mercedes GLE W166 and GLE Coupé C292 models from 2015–2019 with NTG5.1 can have an existing one or three-colour system upgraded to 12 colours.
The installation uses existing lighting tubes in areas such as the doors and dashboard, while also illuminating the door handles and footwells. A 12-colour control menu is then added to the vehicle settings.
For newer GLE V167 and GLE Coupé C167 models, Braybrooks also offers ambient lighting seat-back strips , illuminated speaker grilles, illuminated tweeters as well as 4D motorised tweeters. Also offered are illuminated strips that run the length of the panoramic roof and replacement vents in the front and the back. All options synchronise with the existing ambient light controls within the MBUX.
V-Class
The Mercedes V-Class W447 from 2015 onwards has a different type of ambient lighting upgrade.
This upgrade is specifically intended for vehicles that already have the factory three-colour ambient lighting system. The existing LEDs are replaced with brighter units to improve the strength and appearance of the lighting while retaining the existing system.
It isn’t therefore a complete ambient lighting retrofit for a V-Class with no lighting installed.
G-Class
For selected Mercedes G-Class models, Braybrooks offers illuminated turbo-style air vents.
These are designed to occupy the original vent positions and can be connected to an existing ambient lighting system so their colour and brightness follow the rest of the interior.
64-colour ambient lighting upgrades
The 64-colour systems available for models such as the A-Class W177, CLA C118, GLA H247, GLB X247, C-Class W205 and GLC X253 offer a much broader range of personalisation than earlier Mercedes lighting systems.
Depending on the vehicle and installation, lighting can extend across the dashboard, centre console, doors, handles, storage areas and footwells. Some models can also support multi-colour effects, allowing different areas of the interior to display different colours.
Additional illuminated components can extend the effect further, including turbo-style air vents, dashboard trims, speaker grilles, seat-back strips and motorised tweeters.
Are the parts genuine Mercedes-Benz?
This depends on the particular retrofit.
Some Braybrooks ambient lighting installations use genuine Mercedes-Benz components in certain areas, while others use aftermarket parts designed to fit into the original locations. Some packages use a combination of both.
For example, the GLA/GLB X247 installation uses genuine Mercedes dashboard trims alongside aftermarket components, while several illuminated vent, speaker grille and tweeter upgrades use aftermarket parts.
The individual product description should therefore be checked if the origin of a particular component is important to you.
Can ambient lighting be fitted to any Mercedes?
No. Compatibility varies by model, production year, infotainment system, interior trim and existing equipment.
Even within the same Mercedes model range, there can be differences that affect what can be installed. For example, some upgrades rely on existing light tubes or particular door trims, while others require a specific NTG system. Certain accessories are also intended to extend an existing ambient lighting installation rather than create a complete system from scratch.
Braybrooks can check the vehicle specification before recommending the appropriate system.
Why specialist installation matters
A full Mercedes ambient lighting retrofit can involve removing door cards and dashboard trim, installing light guides and LED units, routing wiring and coding the vehicle’s electronic systems.
Some kits are available for self-installation, but many are involved jobs requiring specialist tools and diagnostic equipment. Certain installations may also require plastic welding or bonding.
Professional fitting also allows the lighting components to be positioned correctly within the existing trim and, where applicable, the required control menus to be programmed into the vehicle.
Find the right ambient lighting upgrade for your Mercedes
Braybrooks offers Mercedes ambient lighting upgrades ranging from single and three-colour systems for earlier models through to 12 and 64-colour installations for later vehicles. There are also individual upgrades such as illuminated vents, dashboard trims, speaker grilles, seat-back strips and motorised tweeters.
The right option depends on your Mercedes model, year and existing specification. If you’re unsure what can be fitted to your car, speak to Braybrooks today on 0800 0520292 for a compatibility check and quote.
