Even though seating can sometimes be a feature that’s overlooked, equipping the right sitters is absolutely critical to a car’s success. Indeed, a vehicle’s seating can make or break the experience in the cabin, whether or not the passenger is actually conscious of it. And when it comes to performance or sport-flavored applications, GM’s go-to are Recaro seats, which have provided a mix of comfort and support on various GM products for decades now.
For readers who may be unfamiliar, Recaro is a German-based company that offers seating solutions for a wide variety of applications, including military vehicles, aircraft, gaming chairs, and of course, cars. With experience on the street and on the track, Recaro knows a thing or two about both comfort and support, and it shows in the various Recaro seats equipped on GM vehicles.
Our first stop is in the ‘80s, where we can find Recaro seats in a variety of Pontiac Trans Am and Chevrolet Camaro special edition models.
With sizable side bolsters, these bucket sitters pair well with a high-output V8 under the hood, while the leather upholstery keeps things surprisingly posh (and perhaps a bit slippery as well).
Later on, in the ‘90s, Recaro seats were also used in the Chevrolet Lumina police vehicle, with simple cloth upholstery, as well as light bolstering for quick ingress and egress.
Saturn Ion Redline
Jumping ahead to the 2000s, we find Recaro seats equipped in sporty compact models like the Saturn Ion Redline and Chevrolet Cobalt SS.
Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Both of these models feature aggressive side bolsters to keep passengers in place when testing out the handling.
Cadillac ATS-V
Numerous Cadillac models also offered Recaro seats, often as optional equipment on high-performance models like the second- and third-generation CTS-V, as well as the first-generation ATS-V.
Cadillac ATS-V
Per usual, color options and customizability abound.
Cadillac CTS-V
Cadillac CTS-V
Standout features on the Caddy sitters include 16-way adjustability, plus adjustable side bolsters too, all of which are critical in a vehicle with such high performance and high expectations with regard to comfort.
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
More modern examples once again include the 2017 to present Chevrolet Camaro.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Indeed, with so much performance potential on tap, Recaro seats make for just the right complement, with a variety of different materials on offer.
Chevrolet Camaro 1LE
We’ll no doubt see Recaro seats used in future GM vehicles across the automaker’s various brands. Until then, make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
You posted their pics but failed to mention that the 2014-15 Camaros had a Recaro seat available, as well. The seats were optional on the 14/15 SS and ZL1 and standard on Z/28.
I had first hand experience with the Police package Lumina’s with the Recaro seats. Our department had several of them as well as some other departments near ours. They were quite good for the officers and everyone liked them. At first, we all thought they were going to be way too hard and uncomfortable, but it was proven wrong. And although not that fast, the Lumina’s were actually really good cars for those of us in snowy states who needed extra grip of front drive.
All high level trims should come with Recaro seats IMO. I loved them in every car that’s had them and always curious why they are used more often.
The 1983 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Daytona 500 pace car featured light gray leather Recaro seating. I’ve owned two of the 2,500 built in my lifetime now. Both are and were automatic transmission cars.
Can you verify whether my 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe has Recaro seats….or not? Thank you.