Hundreds Of Products Ready Today. Dispatch/Collection Sabelt GT3 Bucket Seats Fitted In Our Customer’s Renault Clio
The Renault Clio is a popular base for both track day and motorsport builds, but fitting proper bucket seats into a small hatchback is not always straightforward. Interior space is limited, especially once safety equipment such as harnesses and roll protection are added, so choosing a seat with the right proportions is just as important as choosing one with the right level of support.
In this build, our customer installed a pair of Sabelt GT3 bucket seats into their Renault Clio Mk3. The GT3 is a lightweight, FIA approved motorsport seat designed for competition and demanding track use, making it a serious upgrade over standard road seats. Despite its aggressive shape and high level of support, both seats fitted into the Clio with no additional modifications required.
There were no clearance issues around the centre tunnel or door cards, and the seats sit correctly within the cabin without fouling each other. This shows that while the Sabelt GT3 is very much a motorsport focused seat, its overall dimensions and design make it well suited to compact performance cars like the Clio when installed correctly.
Why choose a full motorsport bucket seat for a Clio build
When a car is used for heavy track days or motorsport, a standard road seat quickly becomes the limiting factor. Excessive body movement under braking and cornering not only affects confidence but also makes it harder to drive consistently.
A full motorsport bucket seat transforms the driving experience. By holding the driver firmly in place, it allows better control of the steering and pedals, reduces fatigue, and improves overall safety. In a lightweight, responsive car like the Clio, this level of support makes a noticeable difference from the first lap.
For drivers who are pushing harder or competing, a seat like the Sabelt GT3 provides the stability needed to get the most out of the chassis without distraction.
Sabelt GT3 motorsport bucket seat overview
The Sabelt GT3 is a lightweight fibreglass bucket seat designed for serious track day use and motorsport competition. Its construction focuses on strength, rigidity, and driver support rather than compromise.
The seat features a deep sided design through the legs and hips, combined with aggressive shoulder supports that lock the upper body in place. This shape is designed to minimise lateral movement during high speed cornering, heavy braking, and rapid direction changes.
Trimmed in durable velour fabric, the GT3 offers good grip while remaining comfortable enough for longer sessions. The overall design is unmistakably motorsport focused, but it avoids unnecessary bulk, which is why it works so well in smaller cars.
This seat is built to FIA 8855-1999 standards, meaning it is approved for all levels of motorsport, from circuit racing and endurance events to rally stages and hill climbs. It features a rigid fibreglass shell, ensuring maximum strength while keeping weight to a minimum, and its aggressive bolstering and ergonomic shape provide an unparalleled level of driver support.
Key Features of the Sabelt GT3:
- FIA 8855-1999 Approved, making it suitable for professional and club-level motorsport.
- High-strength fibreglass shell, balancing durability with lightweight construction.
- Large harness slots, designed to accommodate 4, 5, and 6-point harness systems.
- Aggressive shoulder supports, keeping the driver secure during high-speed cornering.
- Deep side bolsters and extended leg support, offering excellent stability and comfort.
- Breathable black fabric upholstery, designed to withstand the demands of racing.
This seat has been carefully designed to minimise driver fatigue while ensuring maximum control and safety on the track. The deep side bolsters prevent excessive movement, while the contoured shell helps distribute pressure evenly, making it comfortable even during long endurance races.
For customers looking to purchase a pair of these seats, we also offer a dedicated twin-seat listing, ensuring accurate stock levels and a seamless ordering process for those needing matching seats for driver and passenger setups.
Seat dimensions and driver fitment
Seat dimensions are especially important when fitting a pair of bucket seats into a small hatchback. At its widest point across the shoulders, the Sabelt GT3 measures approximately 590mm. Despite this, our customer was able to fit two GT3 seats into their Renault Clio Mk3 without any clearance issues.
The seats do not touch each other over the centre tunnel, and they also clear the door cards without requiring trimming or modification. This highlights how well the GT3’s shape is designed, offering strong support without unnecessary width, which causes problems.
Internally, the seat measures approximately 355mm wide at the hips. Because of this, we generally recommend the Sabelt GT3 for drivers with a 30 to 36-inch waist. Larger drivers may find the seat restrictive, particularly over longer stints.
Main seat measurements include:
- Maximum shoulder width: approximately 590mm
- Internal hip width: approximately 355mm
- Overall seat height: approximately 920mm
- Base width: approximately 416mm
Sabelt GT3 Fitment Guide:
- The high side bolsters and deep leg supports ensure maximum lateral stability.
- The shell is sculpted to provide an ergonomic fit, distributing weight evenly across the seat.
- The harness slots are positioned to suit a range of driver heights, ensuring proper harness alignment.
To help customers determine whether the Sabelt GT3 is the right fit, we have added detailed images with accurate seat dimensions that can be used as a reference when measuring cockpit space. This will allow customers to verify fitment before purchasing, reducing the risk of incorrect sizing.
As always, measuring your interior space before ordering is strongly recommended, especially when fitting two seats side by side.
Why Choose a Sabelt Bucket Seat?
Sabelt is a world-renowned motorsport brand, known for producing high-performance seats, harnesses, and safety equipment. Their products have been used in some of the most prestigious racing series, including Formula 1, endurance racing, and rally competitions. With decades of expertise in motorsport engineering, Sabelt has built a reputation for uncompromising quality, innovation, and driver safety.
A Legacy in Racing:
- Sabelt was founded in 1972 and has since been a leading name in motorsport safety equipment.
- Their seats and harnesses have been used in Formula 1, GT racing, rally, and endurance events.
- The company works closely with professional teams and manufacturers, ensuring that every product meets the highest racing standards.
- Sabelt’s FIA-approved products are rigorously tested to guarantee superior impact protection, comfort, and durability.
The Sabelt GT3 Advantage:
By choosing a Sabelt GT3 bucket seat, drivers can trust that they are getting a seat designed by experts in motorsport safety. The lightweight yet strong construction, combined with deep lateral support and FIA approval, makes this seat a top-tier option for those who demand the best from their race car’s seating setup.
Whether you are competing in a high-level motorsport event or looking to enhance the driving experience in your track car, Sabelt’s history in racing ensures that the GT3 seat delivers the highest standards of performance and safety.
Viewing and purchasing the Sabelt GT3 at GSM Performance
We will be linking the Sabelt GT3 motorsport seat directly within this blog for anyone wanting to view full specifications and pricing. Unlike many motorsport seats, the GT3 is a model we stock and display at our showroom.
This means customers can view the seat in person, sit in it, and get a real feel for the fit and support before committing. For motorsport seats in particular, this can make a big difference in choosing the right model for your build and body shape.
Our team is always on hand to talk through fitment, sizing, and installation options to help make sure the GT3 is the right choice for your car and intended use.
Installation and mounting options
For this Renault Clio Mk3 build, our customer used SW Motorsport vehicle specific side mounts to install the Sabelt GT3 seats. These side mounts are designed to bolt directly to the original mounting points on the floor of the car, allowing the seats to be fixed straight to the chassis without additional frames or runners.
This type of installation is ideal for motorsport and heavy track day use. A fixed setup removes unnecessary movement, reduces potential points of failure, and keeps the seating position consistent. For competition focused cars, this is always the approach we recommend, as it prioritises safety and driver control above convenience.
Like most fibreglass bucket seats, the Sabelt GT3 is side mounted only. That means there are two main ways to install it, depending on how the car is used.
For dedicated track or motorsport builds, side mounting the seat directly to the floor using vehicle specific side mounts creates the lowest possible seating position. This is particularly useful in cars like the Clio, where helmet clearance and centre of gravity are important considerations. Fewer components also means a lighter and more rigid setup.
For more road and daily friendly builds, we recommend using vehicle specific seat sub frames. We offer Sparco and OMP Clio Mk3 specific sub frames that bolt into the car and act as a base. These can then be paired with universal fitting equipment such as sliding runners and side mounts, allowing the seat to be adjustable.
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It is worth noting that using a subframe, runners, and side mounts will always raise the seating position slightly compared to a direct floor mount. This is simply due to the additional components involved. Choosing between the two setups comes down to how the car is used and whether adjustability or a lower, fixed position is the priority.
Both methods work well with the Sabelt GT3. The key is selecting the right installation approach to match your driving and usage requirements.
Final thoughts a serious seat for serious Clio builds
This Renault Clio installation is a great example of how a properly chosen motorsport seat can work perfectly even in a compact cabin. The Sabelt GT3 delivers the support, safety, and driving control needed for demanding track use, without causing unnecessary fitment headaches.
For drivers building a Clio for heavy track days or competition, the GT3 is a strong option. With its lightweight construction, aggressive support, and sensible dimensions, it offers everything you would expect from a modern FIA bucket seat, and it fits where many others struggle.