Should I Choose The Cobra Nogaro or Recaro Pole Position?
Seat comparison
The Cobra Nogaro Circuit and the Recaro Pole Position ABE are two of the fixed back seats customers compare most. Both are fibreglass road and track day seats, both side mount, neither is FIA approved, and from a few feet away they look alike. Sit in them and the differences are obvious.
We put the two side by side in the showroom to compare them. This guide goes through each seat, how they differ in height, harness slot position, shoulders and hips, and how each one is fitted. The short answer from Garreth: under six feet, try the Recaro first; over six feet, try the Cobra first.
- Both are fibreglass fixed back seats for road and track days, not FIA approved
- Both side mount, each on its own maker's side mounts
- Our listings put the Pole Position ABE for drivers under 6ft with a 32 to 36 inch waist
- The Nogaro Circuit is cut for taller drivers, with a 32 to 36 inch waist
- The Nogaro's taller back puts its harness slots higher
- Recaro seats go on Recaro side mounts and Planted brackets
Recaro Pole Position ABE
The Pole Position ABE is Recaro’s road going racing shell. ABE is a German road approval for the seat itself. It is not FIA approval, so it is a fast road and track day seat, not one for scrutineered competition; for that Recaro make the Pole Position FIA and the Profi SPG.
- Glass fibre reinforced plastic shell, around 7kg
- One piece bucket with integrated headrest and a padded lumbar support
- Belt openings for a three or four point belt
- Trims: Ambla leather with Dinamica suede in black or red, leather, Nardo with Artista, or Perlon velour
- Listed for drivers under 6ft with a 32 to 36 inch waist
- Side mounted, as the seat only
It sits low, with high bolsters at the legs and a shape that feels deeply bucketed. Taller drivers over six feet are better looking at the Profi SPG, which has more shoulder height in the same family.
Cobra Nogaro Circuit
The Nogaro Circuit is Cobra’s fixed back fibreglass seat with harness slots, made in the UK. The otherwise identical Nogaro Street has no harness slots and is made for a standard three point belt, so if a harness is part of the plan now or later, the Circuit is the one.
- One piece fibreglass shell, 7.9kg
- 910mm tall, 560mm wide, 490mm base, 710mm deep
- Harness slots at the shoulders for a four or six point harness
- Trims in Amalfi or leather, with Dinamica suede or tartan centres, and one or two colour combinations
- Options for a seat heater and lumbar support
- Cut for taller drivers with a 32 to 36 inch waist
- Side mounted, as the seat only
Cobra also make the Nogaro in special editions, such as tartan, corduroy and houndstooth, and in carbon.
How they compare side by side
Harness slot height. This is the biggest difference. The Nogaro's back is taller and its harness slots sit higher. For a tall driver, that keeps the shoulder straps running back from the shoulders at the right angle. In the Pole Position, a tall driver's shoulders can end up above the openings, so the straps pull down over the shoulders, which is what you want to avoid.
Overall height. The Nogaro stands taller. The Pole Position's lower profile suits smaller cars and drivers who want to sit low.
Shoulders. In the showroom, the Pole Position’s shoulder wings felt broader and less pronounced, with more room for a wide upper body. The Nogaro’s are tighter and more wrapping, which gives a locked in feel but can pinch broad shoulders. A slimmer shoulder can also help clear a B pillar or door card in a tight car.
Hips. Both are fairly slim. The Pole Position flares a little at the hips, which gives slightly more room lower down. Both are listed for a waist up to 36 inches, so if you are near that, sit in both.
Trim. Recaro offer a fixed list of trims. Cobra make the Nogaro to order, which opens up colour combinations, tartan and other special editions.
| Recaro Pole Position ABE | Cobra Nogaro Circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Approval | ABE road approval, not FIA | Road and track, not FIA |
| Shell | Glass fibre, around 7kg | Fibreglass, 7.9kg |
| Driver height (our listings) | Under 6ft | Taller drivers |
| Waist (our listings) | 32 to 36 inches | 32 to 36 inches |
| Harness | Three or four point | Four or six point |
| Mounting | Side mount, Recaro side mounts | Side mount, Cobra side mounts |
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Recaro Pole Position ABE if you are under six feet, you want a little more room at the shoulders and hips, and you like a low, deeply bucketed seat.
Choose the Cobra Nogaro Circuit if you are six feet or taller, you want harness slots that sit high enough for your shoulders, you need a slimmer shoulder to clear the car, or you want a trim made to your own spec.
If you are in between, the only real test is sitting in them. Garreth’s advice is to wear what you drive in, and to sit in the seat with a harness over your shoulders if you can, because the slot height is what matters most.
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Fitting either seat
Both seats are side mounted and supplied as the seat only. Each needs side mounts made for it, then a frame or subframe for your car below:
- Recaro Pole Position ABE. Recaro’s steel side mounts (REC7207450A) fit the Pole Position ABE and FIA and the Pro Racer SPG XL. Recaro seats go on Planted brackets, so pair the side mounts with the Planted bracket for your car.
- Cobra Nogaro Circuit. Cobra side mounts, with a Cobra subframe or runners for your car.
Keep each seat on its own maker’s mounts and the frames that suit them; we do not mix Recaro and other brands’ fitting kits. If you want fore and aft adjustment, add the runners made for that system. Tell us the car and the seat and we will put together the full stack. Our guide to seat runners covers the adjustment options.
Why harness slot height matters
A harness works best when the shoulder straps run back from your shoulders level or at a small downward angle. If the slots are below your shoulders, the straps bend down over them, and in a heavy impact that loads the spine. That is why we steer taller drivers to the Nogaro, and why it is worth checking slot height against your own shoulders before you buy any fixed back seat. Our guide on how to fit a harness covers the angles in more detail.
Is the Recaro Pole Position ABE FIA approved?
No. ABE is a German road approval for the seat; for competition Recaro make the Pole Position FIA and the Profi SPG.
Is the Cobra Nogaro Circuit FIA approved?
No. It is a road and track day seat without FIA homologation.
Which is better for a tall driver?
The Cobra Nogaro Circuit; its taller back puts the harness slots higher.
Which has more room at the shoulders?
The Recaro Pole Position ABE felt broader at the shoulders and slightly wider at the hips in our comparison.
Can I fit the Recaro to any frame?
We fit Recaro seats on Recaro side mounts and Planted brackets, not other brands’ frames.
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For taller driversCobra Nogaro Circuit
Higher harness slots and a slimmer shoulder, made to your spec.
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