Mercedes Sprinter Body Kit Glossary: Lip, Splitter, Apron, Diffuser and Sill

Information: Mercedes Sprinter Body Kit Glossary: Lip, Splitter, Apron, Diffuser and Sill

In Sprinter body kit terms, a lip and a splitter both refer to lower front attachments, an apron usually means the front bumper cover itself, a diffuser is the styled panel under the rear bumper, and a side sill is the same part as a side skirt under a different regional name. Sellers in the US and Europe do not always use these words the same way, so knowing what each term actually points to on the van helps you compare listings correctly before you order.

Front Apron vs Bumper: What Is the Difference

On a Mercedes Sprinter, front apron and front bumper are often used to mean the same visible part: the molded cover at the front of the van, below the headlights and grille. In German automotive terminology this lower front panel is sometimes called an apron (Frontschuerze), and European listings carry that habit into English. A bumper as a complete assembly can also include a steel or aluminum reinforcement bar mounted behind the visible cover, but aftermarket styling parts sold as body kit components are almost always the outer cover only, not the impact bar.

When a listing says apron, check whether it describes a full replacement bumper cover or an add-on piece that bolts onto the existing bumper. The product title and photos should make this clear; if they do not, ask the seller directly before ordering.

Splitter vs Lip: Where Each Part Attaches

A front lip is a narrow trim piece that follows the lower contour of the bumper and stays close to it along its length. A front splitter is typically a flatter, wider panel that extends further forward or below the bumper's lower edge, creating a more distinct step or blade shape at the front of the van. Both terms describe styling attachments fitted to the front bumper area, not separate structural parts.

Some manufacturers combine the two words in one product, since a single part can function as both a lip trim and a splitter extension depending on its shape. The Volkswagen Crafter/MAN TGE front bumper splitter and lip is one example where the same listing covers both naming conventions.

Why the distinction matters when comparing listings

• A lip usually mounts flush against the existing bumper contour.
• A splitter usually adds more visible depth or width at the front edge.
• Photos and dimensions in the listing matter more than the word used in the title.

Side Sill vs Side Skirt: Same Part, Different Name

Side sill and side skirt refer to the same body kit component: the panel that runs along the lower edge of the van body between the front and rear wheel arches, below the doors. Side sill is more common in US and UK listings, while side skirt is the term more often used in continental European tuning terminology. Neither word implies a different shape or a different mounting method; they are regional naming preferences for the same part.

Sprinter side skirts are sold by generation, for example the W906 side skirts and separate W907 versions, so confirm the generation code before comparing prices between sellers who label the part differently.

Rear Diffuser: What the Term Refers To on a Sprinter

On a Sprinter, a rear diffuser is a styled panel positioned under or as part of the rear bumper area, often shaped with visible vanes, steps or a distinct lower profile compared with the factory bumper. The term describes the shape and position of the panel. DL Auto Design does not publish aerodynamic or airflow data for its parts, so treat diffuser as a styling and naming term rather than a performance specification unless a specific product page states otherwise.

Some rear bumper listings separate the bumper and the diffuser insert into two purchases. The Sprinter W907 rear bumper diffuser (bumper not included) is one example: read the title and description carefully, since the diffuser insert and the bumper cover it attaches to may be sold separately.

How Sellers Use These Terms Across Sprinter Generations

Aftermarket sellers commonly refer to pre-2018 Sprinters as W906 and 2019-present Sprinters as W907, with W910 sometimes used informally in the aftermarket for later facelift or extended variants. The Mercedes-Benz Vans Upfitter Portal identifies both the 2019-present Sprinter and the 2023-present eSprinter under the official model series 907, so do not assume that a part labeled W910 is specifically an eSprinter part, or that W906, W907 and W910 body kit parts are interchangeable. Always confirm the generation and model year printed on the listing against your van's build data before ordering front aprons, bumpers, lips, splitters, sills or diffusers.

Term Quick Reference

Checklist Before You Order

• Confirm the exact generation code (W906, W907) and model year against your van's registration or VIN data.
• Check whether the listed part is a full bumper/apron replacement or an add-on lip, splitter or diffuser insert.
• Ask whether the part is sold with or without the base bumper if the title mentions two components.
• Review photos and dimensions rather than relying on the term alone, since sellers use apron, bumper, lip, splitter, sill and skirt inconsistently.
• If your van has parking sensors, a camera or radar, confirm how the specific product accounts for that configuration before ordering, since Mercedes-Benz guidance states that bumper modifications must account for the vehicle's exact sensor setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a front apron the same part as a front bumper on a Sprinter?

In most European listings, front apron and front bumper describe the same visible cover on the front of the van. A bumper as a full assembly can also include a reinforcement bar behind the cover, but aftermarket styling parts are almost always the outer cover only.

What is the practical difference between a lip and a splitter?

A lip is a narrow trim that follows the bumper's existing lower contour closely. A splitter is typically a wider or deeper panel that extends further from the bumper's lower edge. Some products combine both functions in one part.

Why do some sellers call it a side sill and others call it a side skirt?

Side sill and side skirt refer to the same panel between the front and rear wheel arches. Side sill is more common in US and UK terminology, while side skirt is the more common term in European tuning listings.

Does a rear diffuser change airflow on a Sprinter?

DL Auto Design does not publish aerodynamic data for its parts, so diffuser should be treated as a styling and shape term rather than a performance claim unless a specific product page states otherwise.

Are W906, W907 and W910 body kit terms interchangeable?

No. The Mercedes-Benz Vans Upfitter Portal identifies the 2019-present Sprinter and the 2023-present eSprinter under model series 907. W910 is used informally by some aftermarket sellers, so always confirm the generation and model year against your van's build data rather than assuming parts labeled with different codes will fit the same van.

Apron, bumper, lip, splitter, sill, skirt and diffuser often describe overlapping or identical parts depending on which side of the Atlantic the listing was written for. Match the term to the actual photo, dimensions and generation code rather than the word alone, and confirm your Sprinter's exact model year and sensor configuration before ordering. Browse DL Auto Design's Sprinter, Crafter and Vito body kit parts to compare listings using this glossary as a reference.