Driver Profile: Corbeau Pro Series VS Pro Series XL
Driver profile, August 2023
We have the Corbeau Pro Series and the Pro Series XL on display side by side in the showroom. Corbeau updated the design this year, and the two seats share it; the difference is the size of the shell.
To show why that matters, we sat one of our drivers in both, in full race kit, and compared the fit. The right size makes more difference to how well a seat holds you than almost anything else.
- Both seats on display side by side in the showroom, in black velour
- Pro Series X: for a 32 to 36 inch waist
- Pro Series XL: wider at the hips, for a 36 to 40 inch waist
- Both FIA 8855-1999, side mounted, five harness slots
- Both listed for drivers under six feet
- Our 5ft 11in, 32 inch waist driver fitted the standard seat best
What is on this page
Two sizes of the same seat
The Pro Series X is Corbeau’s FIA approved competition seat without head protection. It stops at shoulder height, which makes it the practical choice in tight cockpits and caged cars where a seat with head wings will not fit. Both sizes are homologated to FIA 8855-1999, are side mounted and have five harness slots.
The standard seat suits a 32 to 36 inch waist. The XL is wider at the hips and suits a 36 to 40 inch waist, so bigger drivers get a proper fit. Corbeau list both for drivers under six feet.
What happened when our driver tried both
Our driver is 5ft 11in with a 32 inch waist, and the standard Pro Series fitted him best. In the standard seat his shoulders sat tucked behind the shoulder supports, where they should be.
In the XL the shell was too wide for him, and his shoulders did not sit behind the supports in the same way. A seat that leaves you room to move side to side is not doing its job. A well fitting bucket seat should hold you firmly enough that you feel pinned in place.
A word for taller drivers
Both Pro Series seats have a short back. If you are over six feet, or tall in the body, your shoulders can end up above the shoulder supports, and then the seat cannot hold you properly. Garreth’s advice for taller drivers is to try the seat in person or tell us your height before you order, so we can suggest a taller shell if you need one.
When the fit is right, these seats give a lot of support. The large thigh and shoulder bolsters cut down sideways movement, and the fabric trim uses more durable material on the areas that wear most.
-
From £732.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditTop 10 productKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £762.00 Incl. VATPayPal CreditKlarna ReadySelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The Pro Series range
Both seats are on our Corbeau bucket seat display in standard black velour, ready to try, dispatch or collect. Online, the Pro Series comes with three shell options: System 1 in Kevlar and GRP, System 3 in carbon and Kevlar, and System 5 in full carbon for drivers saving every bit of weight. Trim colours and gel coat shell colours are offered too.
If two people of different sizes share a car, our guide to pairing a bigger driver’s seat with a smaller passenger seat shows how to keep them matching.
What is the difference between the Corbeau Pro Series and Pro Series XL?
They share the same design, but the XL is wider at the hips for a 36 to 40 inch waist.
What waist size suits the standard Corbeau Pro Series?
The standard Pro Series suits a 32 to 36 inch waist.
Is the Corbeau Pro Series suitable for tall drivers?
Both sizes have a short back and are listed for drivers under six feet.
Is the Corbeau Pro Series FIA approved?
Yes. Both sizes are homologated to FIA 8855-1999.
💬
The lessonSize beats spec
The seat that fits your shoulders and hips will hold you better than a bigger one.
Need a personal recommendation?
We're here to ensure you pick the right seat.
Contact us today.