The Recaro Pole Position Carbon ABE, part RecaroCarbonABE, is the carbon-aramid version of the Pole Position shell with German ABE road approval rather than FIA competition homologation. ABE (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) is a German StVZO road-use certificate that permits street-legal installation with a standard 3-point belt, subject to TUV confirmation for the specific vehicle. It is not a motorsport certificate and does not make this seat legal for FIA or Motorsport UK-regulated competition. If you need a seat for timed events, the Pole Position FIA (part 070.98.01) is the relevant product.
The carbon-aramid CFK composite shell weighs approximately 4.5kg, which is around 2.5kg lighter than the GRP Pole Position FIA. It is a side-mount, fixed-back shell with an integrated headrest and modified belt slots that accommodate a standard 3-point road belt. The shoulder cutouts are shaped for optimum lateral hold. Driver waist range is 32 to 36 inches; height is under 6 feet. Trim options are Perlon velour black and leather black. The shell does not carry FIA homologation.
The Carbon ABE sits above the standard Pole Position ABE in the Recaro Sportline catalogue in terms of shell material and price, and below the FIA competition range in terms of regulatory scope. It is the choice for road drivers or sim-rig owners who want the lightest possible Pole Position shell in a legal road installation. Seat only: side mounts and sub-frames are separate items. The modification slot accepts 3-point belts as stated; 4-point harness routing is possible for private track use. Contact us to confirm vehicle-specific ABE applicability for your car before ordering.
Have you written anything about this exact product?
Yes, we have covered this exact product: Back in stock: Recaro Pole Position ABE, in velour and Ambla leather, and Fitting a Recaro Pole Position in a Porsche 993: brackets, rails and room for a tall driver. That is first-hand coverage from our own builds and showroom, not brochure copy.
ABE or FIA Pole Position, which do I need?
The ABE version carries German road-use approval and is the one for street builds; the FIA version is homologated for competition. Same shell either way, so pick by what the car does. Both mount on Recaro’s own bolt pattern, so use the frames we list for Recaro seats, and tell us your car and we will match the exact subframe.
Will I fit in this seat?
The maker sizes this seat for drivers under 6ft in height with a 32in to 36in waist. 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.
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 side-mount seat: it hangs between side brackets, the motorsport-style stack with fine height and angle control. 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.
