More news from the Germans! The new Fanatec CSL Cockpit is aimed at sim racing enthusiasts who want a compact cockpit capable of accommodating their Fanatec Direct Drive base, whether it’s a model from the CSL, Clubsport or even Podium range. So what does this chassis, which boasts ultra-torque bases (up to 25Nm) starting at €399.95, look like? Let’s find out.
Fanatec CSL cockpit in brief
What does the Fanatec CSL Cockpit look like technically?
| Chassis construction | Tubular aluminum, Steel brackets and gears. |
| Seat | Optional: Fanatec CSL Cockpit Seat |
| Price | From €399.95 incl. VAT |
| Options | Fanatec CSL Cockpit Seat (99,95€), CSL Cockpit Shifter Holder (39,95€), CSL Cockpit Monitor Holder (119,95€). Other options will arrive later, according to the brand, such as a keyboard holder, a PC/console holder or an independent monitor holder, as well as other ideas not yet announced. |
On paper, it’s a good deal!
With the CSL Cockpit, Fanatec seems to be back on the right foot in the chassis world. After an overpriced, impractical and unscalable Rennsport V2 model, they seem to have realized that if they really wanted to break into the fixed simulator installation niche, they’d have to come up with something better. And while this new model will come as a surprise to many, the more assiduous will have noticed that this chassis was spotted for a few hours at the GT World Series final in Barcelona a few months ago.
So what does this new model look like on paper? Well, it’s a fixed tubular aluminum chassis with steel mounting brackets. The riding position is GT / Rally / Nascar / Drift oriented. But you can also switch to the karting position by inverting the Direct Drive base bracket.
Here we see the CSL Cockpit equipped with its screen mount and bucket seat, two optional extras.
The brand assures us that its chassis is capable of handling the torque of all its Direct Drive bases up to 25Nm. Which, in my opinion, is a real surprise. At first glance, the design seemed a little flimsy.
So I’m waiting to put it to the test, whether on the chainstay mounts or on the bottom bracket, the key component that must be rigid to get the most out of your brake’s performance.
Finally, the design features a two-tone black and yellow finish with a baked-on powder coat that should be more scratch-resistant than a simple spray.
Options available on the Fanatec CSL Cockpit
This is where tubular chassis often go wrong. Brands love to sell us overpriced options to milk as many pennies as possible from the pockets of simracers who choose to put their trust in them. But here again, a pleasant surprise! The various options available today are not outrageously priced, and the brand has already announced that there will be further developments to come. This ensures flexibility of use, whatever your riding tastes.
| Options already available | Fanatec CSL Cockpit Seat in fabric (99.95€), Shifter Holder and FAM CSL Cockpit Shifter Holder (39.95€), CSL Cockpit Monitor Holder (119.95€). |
| Upcoming options | Keyboard support tray, PC/console holder Independent monitor holder, Other ideas yet to be announced. |
In practical terms, this means that “Full Options” will set you back €659.80.
Of course, you don’t have to go through the brand’s options. The seat support brackets are of standard size and fully capable of accommodating models from other brands, such as Sparco.
Settings that do the job
Here, the structure gives us a glimpse of the angle adjustment options for the chainstay and bottom bracket.
The MAJOR point when choosing a chassis: adjustment options. Let’s take a look at what Fanatec has to offer:
- Pedal angle and depth adjustment.
- 3 Direct Drive base heights. Except with Podium bases, which are larger and restrict this adjustment.
- Base angle variable from 0 to 30° and reversible support for karting position.
- Base/seat distance adjustable over 8cm.
- Rubber feet for hard floors or carpets.
- OPTIONAL shifter support: adjustable in height and width (the handbrake can be mounted either directly on the support or on the side of your Fanatec shifter if you have one).
- OPTIONAL screen support: adjustable for height, width and fine adjustment of screen position.
Another nice touch I wanted to mention is Cable Management. The brand has chosen to facilitate the insertion of cables into the chassis tubes thanks to drilled plugs.
A Fanatec cockpit designed first and foremost for Fanatec hardware
Have you noticed? The Direct Drive base support is side-mounted. A side mount calibrated to perfectly match Fanatec bases! If you’re equipped with another brand of base, you’ll have to move on, at least until someone comes up with a DIY mount for example 😉
By the way, let’s talk about compatibility!
| Bases | CSL DD GT DD PRO ClubSport DD ClubSport DD + Podium DD1 Podium DD2 Racing Wheel F1 podium |
| Pedals | CSL CSL Elite Pedals V1 and V2 ClubSport (all versions) |
| Shifters and FAM | Optional bracket. Fits all ClubSport models |
| Screens | Optional stand. VESA 100×100 / 75×75 screens up to 34 inches. Ultrawides up to 49 inches. |
What to expect from this Fanatec chassis
In concrete terms, what I expect from this chassis is rigidity. This applies to both the Direct Drive base and the bottom bracket. As for the rest, it seems to be reasonably priced, and its options, which are not at all outrageous in terms of price, could help it make a place for itself among simracers. We’ll be back soon to put it through its paces at home!
