Fender Flares
ExtérieurAverage price
300€ - 2500€
Fender flares, also known as wheel arch extensions, are body parts attached around the wheel arches of a vehicle. Their main function is to increase the width of the bodywork in order to cover wider tires and wheels that would otherwise protrude from the original fenders. This modification meets a dual requirement: legal and functional. From a legal standpoint, most road regulations prohibit wheels from protruding past the bodywork for safety reasons, to prevent the projection of debris (gravel, water, mud) onto other road users. From a functional standpoint, they effectively protect the vehicle's paint and sides against these same projections. Beyond their practical role, fender flares are a highly popular aesthetic customization element. They give the vehicle a more rugged, aggressive, and sporty look, reminiscent of racing cars or off-road prepped 4x4s. Available in a variety of materials such as ABS plastic, polyurethane, or carbon fiber, and in styles ranging from discreet (OEM-style) to very pronounced (bolt-on style with exposed rivets), they allow for extensive customization that radically transforms the vehicle's silhouette.
Benefits
- ✓Gives the vehicle a wider, more aggressive, and sporty look.
- ✓Allows the installation of wider wheels and low-offset tires.
- ✓Protects the bodywork from mud, stone, and debris projections.
- ✓Ensures legal compliance by covering wheels that protrude from the original fenders.
Learn more
What are wheel arch extensions and what are they used for?
Wheel arch extensions are body accessories added around a car's wheel wells. Initially popularized by motorsport and off-roading, they have found their place in the tuning world and even on certain production sports models. Their utility is twofold: functional and aesthetic. They make it possible to cover wider wheel/tire assemblies while giving the vehicle a more muscular and assertive stance.
The main benefits of wheel arch extensions
Installing fender flares on your vehicle offers several notable benefits, which explain their growing popularity among automotive enthusiasts.
Style and customization: This is often the primary motivation. Wheel arch extensions radically transform a vehicle's stance, giving it a much more imposing and sporty road presence. Models like Audi RS or BMW M integrate flared fenders from the factory to emphasize their performance.
Bodywork protection: By extending coverage above the tires, these extensions intercept flying gravel, mud, and water. This is particularly useful for off-road vehicles, but also for sports cars equipped with wide, soft tires that tend to fling a lot of debris.
Fitting wider wheels: To improve handling, grip, or simply for the look, many drivers opt for wheels with a greater offset (negative offset) or wider tires. Wheel arch extensions then become essential to cover these wheels and remain compliant with the law.
Legal compliance: In France, the Highway Code stipulates that wheels must not protrude from the bodywork. Adding wheel arch extensions is therefore a legal solution to type-approve a vehicle equipped with a widened track.
Different types and materials
The market offers a wide variety of fender flares, adapted to all needs and budgets.
Materials: The most common are made of ABS plastic, prized for its flexibility and impact resistance. Polyurethane (PU) is even more durable and flexible, making installation easier. For high-end or custom kits, you find fiberglass or carbon fiber, which is lighter and more rigid, but also more expensive.
Styles: There are two main styles. The "OEM" or "smooth" style aims for seamless integration with the bodywork, as if it were an original part. The "Bolt-on" or rivet-style exposes the mounting screws for an industrial and racing look, very popular in Japanese tuning culture (JDM).
Complete "Widebody" kits: For an extreme transformation, widebody kits do not just add an extension, but sometimes replace entire body panels (fenders, bumpers) to create an entirely new and much wider silhouette.
Installation, painting, and budget
Installation varies greatly in complexity. The simplest models can be attached with a strong 3M adhesive or clipped on. However, most quality kits require drilling into the original fenders for a solid fix. The most extreme widebody kits even require cutting the original fenders to make room for the new wheels.
Most extensions are delivered in a raw finish (matte black) or with a primer coat. For a flawless finish, it is essential to have them painted to match the body color, which represents an additional cost to anticipate. The overall budget for a set of four extensions, including installation and painting, can thus range from a few hundred euros for a simple ABS kit to several thousand euros for a fiber widebody kit installed by a professional.
Compatible brands
Finitions équipées
70 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
Audi Audi A3
RS3 (8V / 8Y) (2015-2026)
Audi Audi A5
RS5 (1st generation 8T) (2010-2015)
Audi Audi A6
RS6 Avant (C7) (2013-2018)
Audi Audi A6
RS6 Avant (C8) (2019-2026)
Audi Audi A7
RS7 Sportback (2nd generation C8) (2019-2026)
Audi Audi Q8
RS Q8 (1st generation) (2020-2023)
Audi Audi RS6
RS6 Avant GT (C8 - limited edition) (2023-2025)
Audi Audi TT Roadster
TT RS Roadster (8S / 3rd generation) (2016-2023)
Audi Audi e-tron
e-tron S / e-tron S Sportback (1st generation) (2021-2023)
BMW BMW Serie-8
M8 Coupé (F92 / 2nd generation) (2019-2026)
BMW BMW i3
i3s Atelier / Loft / Lodge / Suite (Phase 2) (2017-2022)
Citroën Citroën Berlingo
XTR (1st generation - Berlingo II) (2012-2018)
Citroën Citroën DS3
Racing (1st generation) (2010-2012)
Dacia Dacia Bigster
Extreme (1st generation) (2025-2026)
Dacia Dacia Duster
Explorer (1st generation) (2016-2017)
Dacia Dacia Duster
Extreme (2nd generation) (2022-2024)
Dacia Dacia Duster
Extreme (3rd generation) (2024-2026)
Dacia Dacia Lodgy
Stepway (1st generation) (2014-2022)
Dacia Dacia Sandero
Stepway (1st generation) (2010-2012)
Dacia Dacia Sandero
Stepway Expression (3rd generation) (2021-2026)
Associated equipment
Aerodynamic Package
An aerodynamic package is a set of bodywork components specifically designed to manage and optimize airflow around a moving vehicle. Its primary objective is twofold: to reduce aerodynamic drag (the drag coefficient, or Cd) and to increase downforce. Reducing drag helps improve energy efficiency—thereby lowering fuel consumption or electric range—and increases top speed. Increasing downforce, on the other hand, presses the car onto the road at high speeds, significantly improving tire grip, straight-line stability, and cornering speed. A typical aero package consists of several elements working in synergy: a front splitter that channels air under the car, side skirts that prevent air from escaping out the sides, a rear diffuser that accelerates air extraction from beneath the vehicle to create a low-pressure zone, and a rear wing or spoiler that manages airflow separation and generates downforce on the rear axle. Initially reserved for racing cars, these packages are now common on production sports cars (GTI, RS, AMG, M) and are even offered as options on more standard models, combining performance gains with aesthetic appeal.
20-inch alloy wheels
20-inch alloy wheels are a prime choice for motorists looking for a bold aesthetic and superior dynamic performance. Measuring 20 inches (approximately 50.8 cm) in diameter, these wheels are significantly larger than standard setups, which radically alters a vehicle's stance, giving it a more sporty and prestigious presence. Made from a blend of lightweight metals, primarily aluminum and magnesium, they are lighter than steel wheels of the same size, contributing to a reduction in unsprung weight. This technical feature improves suspension responsiveness and steering precision. Generally paired with low-profile tires, they maximize the contact patch with the road, resulting in increased grip and better handling, particularly on dry surfaces. They are commonly found on premium vehicles, luxury SUVs, and sports cars, where design and road behavior are paramount purchasing criteria. Choosing 20-inch wheels is therefore a compromise between striking style, improved driving dynamics, and considerations of comfort and cost.
Sport Styling Pack
The sport styling pack is a set of optional exterior components offered by car manufacturers to give a vehicle a more dynamic and aggressive appearance, similar to that of high-performance versions. Primarily aesthetic, this pack profoundly modifies the car's design without necessarily altering its engine performance. It generally consists of redesigned front and rear bumpers, often more prominent and featuring enlarged air intakes or a diffuser. Side skirts, or sills, are added to visually lower the car's stance and enhance its road presence. A boot spoiler or wing frequently completes the package, adding a final touch of sportiness. Beyond these core parts, the pack may also include specific details such as a honeycomb grille, chrome or black exhaust tips, or distinctive badges. These packs are very popular because they allow buyers to enjoy the style of sports models while retaining a more economical engine and lower insurance costs. They represent an excellent compromise between aesthetics and practicality.
Lowered sport suspension
The lowered sport suspension, often associated with sport trim levels or available as an option, is a technical modification of a vehicle's chassis aimed at improving its dynamic performance and aesthetics. Unlike a standard comfort-oriented suspension, this setup uses shorter, stiffer springs along with specifically calibrated dampers for better body control. Lowering the ride height, typically by 10 to 30 millimeters, lowers the vehicle's center of gravity. This modification has a direct and significant impact on handling: cornering roll is considerably reduced, steering response becomes more direct, and high-speed stability is increased. Visually, the car gains a more aggressive and athletic stance, with reduced gap between the wheels and the wheel arches. Although beneficial for sporty driving, this technology comes at the expense of a certain level of comfort, as road imperfections are transmitted more harshly into the cabin. It also requires more daily caution to avoid scraping the underside on speed bumps or parking ramps.
Black side skirt
The black side skirt is a body panel located on the lower part of a vehicle's sides, between the front and rear wheel arches. Once a simple protective part, it has become a true styling asset. Generally made of robust plastic, its black color—whether matte, textured, or piano black—serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, it effectively protects the paint of the doors and fenders against stone chips, road salt, and minor daily impacts, which are particularly exposed areas. On the other hand, the black side skirt plays a major aesthetic role. It creates a striking contrast effect, especially on light-colored bodies, and visually lowers the vehicle's stance, giving it a more sporty and grounded road presence. This equipment is very often included in sport trims (such as S-Line, M Sport, GT Line) or in specific styling packs like the "Black Pack" or "Night Package". It then harmonizes with other black elements such as mirror caps, window surrounds, or the rear diffuser, for a cohesive and dynamic design.