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This is a step-by-step guide to fitting the CMST carbon-fibre aero kit to the 2023-onward GAC Trumpchi Empow R (影豹R). The kit installs as bolt-on and bonded pieces — front lip, bumper canards, side skirts, front and rear wheel arches, rear lip, bonnet and rear wing — using a combination of 3M double-sided tape, panel-safe glass adhesive and self-tapping screws. Most of the work is a careful trial-fit-then-fix process, and several stages need two people, so plan for a full workshop day rather than a driveway afternoon.

• Vehicle: GAC Trumpchi Empow R (广汽传祺影豹R), 2023 onward
• Kit pieces covered: Front lip, 4-piece canards, side skirts, front and rear wheel arches, rear lip, bonnet, rear wing
• Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced (carbon and FRP are less forgiving than factory PP)
• Time estimate: One full day for a single fitter with a helper; allow extra for paint-matching the arches
• Fixings used: 3M automotive double-sided tape, panel adhesive (glass glue), self-tapping screws, 6 mm bolts for the wing

Before you start: tools, prep and a word on materials

The Empow R kit mixes dry carbon fibre on the headline panels with FRP on the wider, more complex arch shapes. Both materials are stiffer and more brittle than the factory polypropylene (PP) bumpers, which changes how you handle and fix them. Carbon and FRP do not flex back into shape the way PP does, so every panel should be offered up dry and checked before any adhesive is committed.

Gather the following before lifting the car:

• Trolley jack and axle stands, or a two-post hoist
• Cordless drill with the correct bit for the self-tapping screws
• Sandpaper (around 240–320 grit) to key the bonding faces
• Panel prep solvent or isopropyl alcohol, plus clean lint-free cloths
• 3M double-sided automotive tape and a tube of panel-safe glass adhesive
• A tape measure, masking tape and a marker for setting positions
• Trim removal tools and a socket set
• A second person for the bonnet, wing and rear lip stages

One rule runs through the whole job: scuff, clean, then bond. Lightly sand the area of each panel that will carry tape or adhesive, wipe it clean with solvent so nothing is left to stop the tape keying, apply the 3M tape, then add a few dots of glass adhesive for a permanent hold. If you are sourcing or replacing any pieces during the build, the full CMST carbon fibre body kit range covers the individual Empow R components.

Step 1 — Front lip

Start at the front. Working underneath the factory bumper, scuff and clean the lip's bonding face, lay on the 3M tape and add a few dots of glass adhesive. Drill the screw holes in the front lip to line up with the locating points along the lower edge of the bumper. With the tape backing still on, dry-fit the lip and confirm the fit and gaps are even across the car. Once you are happy, peel one end of the 3M tape and — with a second pair of hands holding the lip square to the bumper — set it into the correct position, then peel the remaining tape backing. Finally, drive the self-tapping screws into the prepared holes along the bottom to lock the lip mechanically as well as adhesively.

Step 2 — Front bumper canards

The 4-piece canard set mounts on the front bumper corners. Sand the perimeter of each canard's bonding face, clean it, apply the 3M tape and a little adhesive. Before sticking anything down, use the tape measure to find the best mounting position and mark it with masking tape, because canards are highly visible and any height or angle difference left to right will be obvious. Fit one side, then mirror the measurement exactly on the other side so the pair sits parallel and level. Check your reference points twice before committing the adhesive.

Step 3 — Side skirts

The side skirts follow the same logic as the front lip. Scuff and clean the bonding strip along the sill, apply tape and adhesive, and drill the skirt to match the screw points underneath. Dry-fit first to check the skirt runs flush along the door sills with consistent gaps. Peel one end of the tape, position the skirt with a helper steadying it, then peel the rest and press it home. Secure the underside with self-tapping screws into the prepared holes. Repeat the identical process on the opposite side, keeping the skirt height matched to the first one.

Step 4 — Front and rear wheel arches

The arch kit is supplied as a multi-piece set — front and rear arches that bolt and bond over the factory guards to give the car its wider stance. Lay the pieces out and identify each one against its position on the car first. Offer each arch up dry, line it up with the body line and mark the position before sanding and cleaning the bonding faces. Apply 3M tape, press each arch onto its marked location and then fix it permanently. Because the arches widen the bodywork, this is the stage where wheel and tyre clearance matters most: with the arches in place, check that your wheel offset, tyre width and ride height let the tyre clear the new arch lip through full suspension travel and steering lock before you drive the car.

Step 5 — Rear lip and diffuser section

The rear lip replaces the lower section beneath the tail-lights and frames the exhaust exits. Begin by removing the two original lower corner pieces under the tail-lights and taking out the centre screw beneath the tail-light. Offer up the CMST rear lip sections, locating them into the factory clips, and fix the inner section with the supplied self-tapping screws — three per side is typical. Run a bead of 3M tape and glass adhesive around the inside edge of the centre piece (the underside does not need adhesive), align it to the tail-lights and secure it to the original screw points. Finally, add a few dots of 3M adhesive to the left and right corner wraps, set them parallel to the body and screw them home underneath.

Step 6 — Carbon bonnet

The bonnet is a two-person job. Open and remove the factory bonnet, then transfer the OEM latch and any hardware across to the CMST carbon bonnet. The mounting brackets can be adjusted up, down, left and right, so fit them loosely at first with the original screws or fixings and do not fully tighten anything yet. Lower the bonnet, micro-adjust its position so the shut lines are even, and aim for a panel gap of roughly 5–7 mm down each side. If the bonnet sits high or low, adjust the rubber height stops to bring the surface flush with the guards. Once the alignment is right, have one person hold the bonnet while the other tightens the bolts to complete the fit.

Step 7 — Rear wing

Assemble the wing first: bolt the left and right end plates to the aerofoil using the 6 mm bolts (two per side), noting the correct orientation so the smaller edge sits forward. Place the assembled wing on the boot lid and mark where its feet meet the panel, then drill those points in the boot. Apply 3M tape to the wing feet — a little glass adhesive here also helps seal against water ingress — line the wing up with your marks and bolt it down through the boot using the 6 mm bolts to secure each foot.

Fitment tips and cautions

• Dry-fit everything first. Carbon and FRP will not spring back if forced, so confirm gaps and alignment before any tape or adhesive is committed.
• Paint-match the FRP arches. The wider arch pieces arrive primed and need spraying to match your GAC factory colour, including any pearl or metallic, so the panels disappear into the body.
• Protect the dry-carbon clearcoat. The exposed weave on the bonnet, lip, skirts and wing is protected by a clearcoat that degrades under prolonged UV. Park undercover where you can and consider a UV-stable ceramic coating or paint protection film.
• Mind the panel gaps. Aim for the 5–7 mm bonnet gap and keep left-and-right symmetry on the canards and skirts; uneven gaps are the most common giveaway of a rushed install.
• Re-check fixings after a few drives. Bonded panels settle, so re-torque the screws and bolts on the lip, skirts, arches and wing after the first week of driving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fit the CMST Empow R kit?

Budget a full workshop day for one experienced fitter with a helper. The bonnet, rear wing and rear lip each need two people, and the wheel arches need careful alignment, so it is not a quick job. Paint-matching the FRP arches is a separate task that adds time on top.

Do I need to drill holes in my car?

You drill the kit pieces themselves (the front lip, side skirts and wing feet) to take self-tapping screws, and you mark and drill matching points such as the boot lid for the wing. The kit uses a mix of factory clip points, 3M tape, glass adhesive and screws, so it is partly bolt-on and partly bonded rather than purely glued.

Why does the kit use both 3M tape and glass adhesive?

The 3M double-sided tape gives an immediate, even hold that lets you position a panel and have it stay put, while the dots of panel-safe glass adhesive add long-term mechanical strength. Used together with the self-tapping screws, they give a secure fix that handles vibration and the airflow loads an aero kit sees at speed.

Will the widebody arches need wheel or tyre changes?

The arches widen the bodywork to suit a wider track. Depending on your final wheel offset, tyre width and ride height, you may need to adjust your wheel and tyre package so the tyre clears the new arch lip through full suspension travel and steering lock. Confirm clearance with the arches fitted before driving the car.

Should I have it professionally fitted in Australia?

For most owners, yes. Carbon and FRP panels are brittle and unforgiving, the bonnet and wing need two people and precise alignment, and the FRP arches need professional paint-matching. A workshop experienced with aero kits will get the panel gaps, secure mounting and finish right and protect the value of the parts.

Fit your Empow R kit with AME Motorsport

AME Motorsport supplies the CMST Empow R carbon and FRP pieces and can advise on staging the fit with your painter and workshop here in Australia. Browse the full CMST body kit range to see each component, explore the wider carbon fibre body kit collection for matching parts, and get in touch to confirm fitment and the right wheel and tyre package for the widebody arches.