The Cobra Roadster XL Plus, a fixed back bucket in the Roadster family. Part number COBROADXLP.
A low back, on purpose
580mm tall with no headrest, and the absence is the design rather than an omission. Most Cobra seats run between 710mm and 910mm tall. The Roadster is cut short because in an open car, or one without a roll cage, a full height shell puts the headrest surround into the driver sightline over their shoulder.
In a Lotus Elan, a kit car or a roadster that height reduction matters every time you look behind you. In a saloon with a fixed roof it buys you nothing and costs you support, so choose it for the right car.
What XL means
Wider than the standard Roadster, at 525mm across and 600mm deep, on a 460mm base, at 8kg. It is the one for a driver who found the SS or SR tight across the shoulders.
The 600mm cushion is shallower than the SS or SR carry, so there is less under the thigh. If you are long in the leg, weigh that before ordering.
Specification
Road and Track approved rather than FIA homologated. Steel frame, fixed back, base mount, harness slots for a 4 point belt.
Hand trimmed in the UK, so the colour options are wide. Tell us your combination at checkout and we will confirm it before the seat is built.
Seat only. Cobra frames include the sliding runner.
Have you written anything about this exact product?
Yes, we have covered this exact product: Cobra Roadster Seat Range Updated For 2023. That is first-hand coverage from our own builds and showroom, not brochure copy.
Will I fit in this seat?
The maker lists no driver size restriction on this seat, so it suits the full range of heights and waists. Those are the paper numbers; how a seat actually feels to sit in and climb out of is a different question, and our showroom team sit in these seats every day, so call us with your height and waist and we will give you the honest answer.
What kind of car suits this seat?
Classic and retro vehicles, which is exactly what this shell is designed around. The low-back retro style belongs in a period build, not a modern car, however tempting the weight figure looks. If you are kitting out a modern road or track car, we will point you at the right modern shell instead.
Is this seat FIA approved?
No, this is a road and track day seat rather than a homologated competition seat. For events that require an FIA seat, look at the FIA-approved shells in the range, and ask us if you are unsure what your series needs.
What do I need to fit it to my car?
This is a base-mount seat: it bolts down through its base, the simpler stack for road cars. You will need the car-specific frame, and a sliding runner if you want fore-and-aft adjustment. Our guide on base mount versus side mount walks through the whole stack, and tell us your car and we will quote the full kit.
Does it work with harnesses and a HANS device?
The shell takes 4 point compatible. If you are planning the full seat, harness, and HANS setup, tell us the car and we will spec it end to end.
How do I know it will feel right, not just fit on paper?
Fair question, because makers publish widths and weights, never feel, and two seats with identical numbers can feel nothing alike in the car. We keep the ranges on display in the Nottingham showroom, you are welcome to come and sit in them, and if you cannot get to us, call and describe your build, as the team sit in these seats every day. Our head support measurements guide shows the kind of real-world data we collect.
