Fanatec Reveals New Entry Level Direct Drive Wheel Base, The $350 “CSL DD”
Fanatec just launched the first cost-effective Direct Drive wheelbase in their lineup, the “CSL DD”
After teasing us for a while, the German sim racing equipment manufacturer has finally taken the covers off their latest creation.
The standard peak torque of the CSL DD comes in at 5 Nm, but with the optional “Boost Kit 180”, you can unlock the full 8 Nm potential. 5 Nm of torque is actually lower than some belt-driven competitors, but in theory, direct-drive should be quick to react and offer more information to the driver.
Fanatec said “the 100% custom motor was developed in Germany specifically for sim racing. It delivers sensational performance thanks to patented FluxBarrier™ technology, communicating the nuances of force feedback detail to your hands with remarkable clarity.”
The CSL DD is significantly smaller than existing direct drive offerings, thanks to an all-new motor design that uses a carbon fiber composite motor shaft. It also features an upgradable quick release system and USB-C port, ready for Fanatec’s upcoming QR2 quick release system.
Direct Drive wheelbases have been touted as the “gold standard” due to the steering wheel being mounted directly to the shaft of the motor, thus increasing fidelity that is usually lost via the drivetrain being typically made up of separate slave motors being connected by belts or gearing systems which can lead to diluted force feedback effects.
Having a Direct Drive system is what most serious sim racers aspire to, but with the usually high cost of these systems, it is usually out of the reach of most
The Fanatec Podium range of wheelbases is as follows: at present, the Podium Wheel Base DD1 manages 20 Nm of force and costs €1,199.95 while the DD2 comes in with 25 Nm and costs €1,499.95 without a wheel at the time of this writing.
The “CSL DD” is priced at a much more attainable $349.95 / €349.95, which is significantly lower than any other DD system on the market, but as one would expect, the forces it outputs are significantly lower.
The CSL DD is compatible with the following Fanatec products:
- Fanatec Podium Steering Wheels
- Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheels
- Fanatec CSL Steering Wheels
- All Fanatec Pedals (adapter cables might be required on pedals without RJ12 connection)
- Fanatec ClubSport Shifters (including ClubSport Static Shifter Paddles)
- Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake V1 and V1.5
- Fanatec RennSport Cockpits
- ClubSport Table Clamp V2
- Temporary mounting possible with optional table clamp (not included).
- Boost Kit 180 unlocks maximum strength (8 Nm peak torque) (Optional)
- Podium Mounting Brackets (the CSL DD includes M6 T-nuts for side-mounting; the Podium Mounting Brackets require the use of M6 bolts and washers)
The release date for the optional Boost Kit 180 and table clamp is yet to be confirmed. We’ll have more information as and when it becomes available for purchase.
