After a few months delay, André Eriksen presents the latest additions to the Asetek SimSports catalog. As you’ll see, most of Asetek’s new products are created in response to numerous player requests. However, there’s a detail hidden in the video! And if you can’t find it, go to the end of the article 😉
Asetek SimSports in brief
Asetek Formula Forte and La Prima steering wheels get a facelift!
Let’s start with the new grips! They are compatible with the Formula La Prima, Forte and Invicta steering wheels (coming soon). First, André presents a pair of Formula-type grips in Alcantara. The is price is €99.99 ex VAT. A little disclaimer from Asetek’s CEO: yes, these grips will wear over time like any other Alcantara steering wheel. If you don’t want the material to change over time, then silicone grips are the way to go. The second set of grips presented is the LMP model (endurance-type). These silicone grips fit all the brand’s Formula steering wheels. They radically change the look of the steering wheel and the price is €69.99 ex VAT.
he good news is that if you want to buy a steering wheel directly with these grips, you won’t need to buy them as an extra. Instead, you can directly choose the grips you want when you buy your wheel.
Color kits for Asetek steering wheels
André continues to unveil Asetek’s new products, admitting that the design of his steering wheels (with their orange buttons and inserts) is not unanimously appreciated. He has come up with a simple solution: color kits that allow us to change the color of the buttons, grips and Quick Release handle inserts. The kit includes the colors Blue, Red, Green, Orange, Purple and Black. And the price is €39.99 plus VAT.
It doesn’t add anything to on-track performance, but that’s the difference between simracing and real racing. In racing, you look ahead, but in the simulator, it has to look good to impress your girlfriend… and your mother-in-law, of course!
Danish humor by André Eriksen
Connecting an Asetek steering wheel to another brand’s chassis
Let’s continue with a new feature that has been repeatedly requested by the community. At last, we’re going to be able to connect Asetek steering wheels to third-party bases. As a reminder, Asetek steering wheels don’t have a detachable QR, which has prevented this from happening until now.
André presents the CNC aluminum adapter. It’s equipped with a spiral cord that you can plug into your PC to use the steering wheel whatever base you’re riding on.
Asetek La Prima Quick Release
You’ve already heard of the Asetek Invicta Quick Release. It’s equipped with a microchip and a USB port to connect and communicate with any steering wheel on an Asetek base. But this system came at a price. Many players asked if it would be possible to release a QR model without the electronic part, in order to buy it more cheaply. Asetek replied that the cost of the electronics was negligible, and that the price came mainly from the CNC aluminum system and its mechanics. BUT, after many months of reflection, Asetek decided to launch this new model, called Quick Release La Prima, for €99.99 plus VAT.
A pre-prod version (the design has changed slightly since then) that I received in January 2023… Before the project was abandoned and then put back on the drawing board!
And to answer the question I’m sure to be asked: Yes, the Quick Release La Prima is compatible with all Asetek bases.
The QR Invicta with shaft extensions is over
Returning to the Invicta Quick Release(reviewed here), André tells us that the 2 steering shaft extensions will become an option. These extensions will be an extra for those who need them. The price is now from €139.99 to €119.99 plus VAT.
New shaft extensions for Asetek steering wheels and bases
Here’s another product that the community has been asking for. A shaft extension to be installed between an Asetek steering wheel and base.
It’s a CNC aluminum extension. Equipped on the base side with a “male” QR with a tiny paddle for removing it. The size of the pallet has been greatly reduced compared to the brand’s usual model, to give you more room to bring your screen as close as possible to the steering shaft. And on the steering wheel side, there’s a “female” QR to accommodate your Asetek steering wheel.
No need to remove the entire shaft every time you change steering wheel. Simply unclip the steering wheel from the shaft and change it as you would if you had no extension at all. We don’t konw the price yet, as this extension is not yet in production. But given that there are two CNC aluminum adapters around the extension, the price is likely to sting. Stay tuned!
A new Front Mount compatible with Podium Mounts.
For all those who have chassis equipped with the mounting option for Fanatec Podium bases. André hasn’t announced the price of this mounting option, so we’ll keep you posted!
Let me conclude by asking if you’ve been paying attention to André’s video? If so, perhaps you’ll have noticed the Asetek Formula Invicta steering wheel hidden in the shelf behind him 😉
Come on, it’s a gift:
And to find out more about Asetek’s new products…
If you’d like to find out more about what Asetek is up to , you can find a lot of exclusive information in the interviews I’ve conducted with André Eriksen:
