![]() ![]() This is where we end up paying for the next-gen tech of the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro’s “brain”. It’s practical, but not as nice as the leather used in the much cheaper Logitech G923 or, again, the Thrustmaster T-GT series. The rim of the wheel is coated in rubber. This stuff feels tough, but I’m used to seeing metal in wheels this pricey, and there’s almost none of that here. Its shell is plastic, or “composite” as Fanatec calls it. You can tell Fanatec couldn’t afford to ship a truly luxurious steering wheel with the package, as it’s “entry-level” by the company’s usual standards, and not as flash as that of a Thrustmaster T-GT II. Most of the inputs of a PlayStation pad are replicated, but see those sticks? They’re four-way directional controls, not free-wheeling analogue sticks. The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro’s steering wheel layout is similar to that of the Thrustmaster T-GT, a wheel made for Gran Turismo Sport a few years ago. Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro review: The wheel However, one of the best aspects here is how upgradeable the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro is, which becomes even more important when we look at some of the other areas. Driving becomes a real struggle, just as Fanatic intends. Fanatec sent me one to try out. Just like a maxed-out Fanatec ClubSport v2.5, it was a bit much for my weedy arms at maximum strength. ![]() This is a beefier power supply that almost doubles the strength of the force feedback. Want pain? You can have it if you get the Boost Kit 180. It will give your arms a light workout, but can’t punish them like a sadistic personal trainer. It easily beats the Thrustmaster T248, roughly matches the Thrustmaster T-GT II, but isn’t close to the old discontinued monster Fanatec ClubSport v2.5. That said, the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro isn’t the most powerful force feedback I’ve used. The combo of fidelity, refinement and power here is truly brilliant. And Gran Turismo is hardly the peak of racing realism to start with, at least according to many sim racing nuts. Pair the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro with Gran Turismo Sport or Gran Turismo 7 and that sense of “holy crap I’m driving a car” is immediate, and much more convincing than the other wheels I’ve reviewed recently. And, sure, some of those cost around half the price, but in some respects the Fanatec is more than twice as good. It blows rivals cheaper like the Thrustmaster T248 and Logitech G923 away, and is smoother than the Thrustmaster T-GT series. The end result is force feedback that just feels more immediate, more refined and higher-fidelity than anything available near the cost. The €349 price, which is what the base bit (the Xbox-only version, anyway) costs on its own, is damn cheap for a direct drive brain. Other models in the Fanatec range are a solid indicator of what you’d have to pay before this little thing arrived: the Fanatec Podium Wheel Base DD2 costs €1499 without any pedals or even an actual steering wheel. It’s ultra-smooth, and there are no obvious downsides to using a direct drive system other than price. ![]() It doesn’t suffer from any belt slippage like the Thrustmaster T300 RS. The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro doesn’t have the notchy feel of the geared Logitech G923. This avoids several of the biggest complaints you can level at other racing wheels. The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro is what’s known as a direct drive wheel, meaning the steering column is directly jammed into the motor itself. In most models a series of belts or gears connect the motor bit to the actual steering wheel bit. In any force feedback racing wheel, a motor adds resistance to your turns and, at times, does its best to wrench the steering wheel out of your hand. The DD Pro block at the centre of the Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro is the first ever “affordable” direct drive wheel base. ![]()
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