After long months of anticipation, Asetek is now launching its Direct Drive bases. And just when everyone (or almost everyone) was expecting only two models, André Eriksen, the brand’s CEO, announces 3 models from 3 different ranges.
You can now order the Invicta, Forte and La Prima models.
Three bases to suit your needs and budget
As well as the arrival of the bases, the big news is the launch of the La Prima range. You may have heard the name in our interview with André Eriksen a month ago. This is Asetek’s “entry-level” range. But you’ll see that their entry-level range is already technically far superior to mid-range and high-end models from other brands.
Quite simply, no compromise has been made on component quality on any of the models. The reason behind this is the famous Asetek vision. The brand wants any gamer to be able to get started, even on a limited budget. Then to evolve its equipment to end up with the brand’s top of the line. We’ve already seen this with the Forte crankset. You’ll soon be able to replace the brake cylinder with the Invicta hydraulic cylinder.
For the first time in the world of simracing, you’ll be able to do the same with your chainstays! For example, buy a La Prima base. Then, a few months or years later, depending on your budget and desires, you can upgrade it to a Forte model.
But if there’s no compromise on component or motor quality between the ranges, what’s really different between these three bases?
Comparing the three Asetek Direct Drives
Couple : 12Nm
La Prima steering wheel
La Prima pedalset
Couple : 18Nm
Torque cut button
4 LED bars integrated into the wheelbase
5 USB ports to plug in the rest of your hardware
Couple : 27Nm
Torque cut button
6 LED bars integrated into the wheelbase
5 USB ports to plug in the rest of your hardware
What you should notice is that all three bases share the same MiGE motor. Asetek has therefore chosen not to use stepper motors for its entry-level DD. This is rare enough to merit a mention! The encoders are the same, and the motor response speed is identical. In short, the difference is in torque and extras such as LED bars, remote buttons and USB ports.
In terms of price, of course, even if the prices are very contained in relation to the quality of the equipment… We have to admit that we’re not talking about equipment accessible to beginners. In fact, that’s not Asetek’s target at all. Their aim is clearly to offer a high-quality ecosystem to serious simracers.
This uncompromising commitment to quality is also reflected in the intensive testing the brand imposes on its models. And we’ve seen it for ourselves! When we visited the Asetek factory, we saw for ourselves the machines that test pedalsets and shifters.
While the pedalboards have to withstand the shock of 1 million activations. Direct Drive bases, on the other hand, have to withstand 200 million activations.
Once again, I appreciate André Eriksen’s transparency on their methods. In fact, it’s the only brand today that doesn’t hide anything about its product.
But this transparency is a must for the brand! Let’s not forget that every player can improve his or her equipment over time. This means that every player can dismantle their base and see what’s inside. So there’s no room for chance.
Upgrade your base
OK, so let’s say you buy a La Prima bundle. And a few months later, you want to upgrade it to a Forte base. How do you go about it? Simply order a kit containing the PCB, LEDs and power supply from the Asetek website (or your favorite retailer). And install it directly on your base. That’s it!
Compatible with other manufacturers’ flywheels:
Here’s another breakthrough that Asetek promised us several months ago when they presented their Quick Release model. André Eriksen confirms that they have sent QRs to various steering wheel manufacturers, who will now offer compatibility with Asetek bases. We don’t yet know who has accepted, so I’ll keep you posted when we have more info on the subject.
They’re also working on a solution so that players who already have steering wheels from other brands can modify them and install the Asetek QR.
In any case, once again, this desire to show players that Asetek doesn’t want to lock them into an ecosystem, but to open up the field of possibilities, tends to please me!
The 3 Asetek Direct Drive assembly options
A quick reminder, even if we’ve already talked about it in previous articles. Asetek will be offering several mounting options for their bases.
As standard, you’ll find two rails under the bases where T-nuts are inserted. The first option is to mount from below. Alternatively, you can opt for their flat mounting system, which once again fits under the base. Or you can opt for side-mounting with optional brackets. You can also opt for front mounting, with a plate that fits behind the front of the base.
We’ll come back to these options in detail when we have them in our hands.
Other Danish announcements
But the announcement of these bases also conceals another very interesting one. The Forte and Invicta pedals are now available in “separate” versions. The aim here is to meet the demand of players who wanted to change the space between the pedals. This was not possible with the original Forte and Invicta models. Yet another innovation that shows that the brand listens to players’ needs and responds quickly.
Asetek Direct Drive model
Pre-orders open on November 11 at 12:00. The first deliveries will arrive before the end of the year, but no date has yet been set. Please note that, unlike almost all other brands, Asetek will not charge your credit card until the equipment has been shipped. Yet another vote of confidence from the Danes, who go to great lengths to demonstrate their good faith.
I’ve got a question for you:
Obviously, as long as I’ve been raving about Asetek, I’ve already ordered one of their bases to review. But which one would YOU like us to test first?
Invicta, Forte or La Prima? See you in the comments, I can’t wait to hear from you 🙂
