The announcement was made on the brand’s YouTube channel. The Simucube Tahko GT-21 is here, and it’s going to make some noise!
Enthusiasts have been waiting a long time for an official steering wheel in the brand’s ecosystem. To tell you the truth, the team was eagerly awaiting the presentation video!
So, how did Simucube announce this new steering wheel and this step forward for the brand? Let’s find out!
The Simucube Tahko GT-21 presentation video
Tahko is Finnish for ” wheel” . Not the cheese, the tool! So we can expect to grind the track with this new flywheel?
To begin with, I suggest you watch the video presentation just below.
If you don’t speak English, don’t worry. You’ll find more information on the new Simucube Direct Drive below.
Translation of the presentation video
Some things in simracing will never change. But some things do. We’ve listened to you, and thanks to your feedback, we’ve created a steering wheel that lives up to Simucube standards.
Months of research and development and drastic testing by our drivers give you the confidence you need to win in any racing category.
We want you to feel as authentically connected to the road as possible. And that you’re always in control. That’s why we developed the Simucube Button. With this button you can adjust the essential parameters of your steering wheel on the fly. While you concentrate on winning.
Racing never really changes. It evolves. And so does Simucube. We’re proud to present the Simucube Tahko GT-21 steering wheel. Available worldwide.
How we felt after watching the video
Well, in terms of communication, we may have expected a little too much from this video presentation. It has to be said that the brand had teased the release of the video on its social networks.
In the end, it’s very brief and doesn’t get to the heart of the matter. The comments of the 115 other people who were waiting with us were not lacking in piquancy.
“Is that all? We just have a commercial? That’s a load of crap!”
Too bad for us! We wish they’d taken a leaf out of Fanatec ‘s book when they released the CSL DD. That would have avoided the little hint of frustration at the end of the minute-long video.
In the end, it was on the official Simucube website that we found the news we’d been waiting for! So let’s meet below to talk about it 🙂
Technical details of the Simucube Tahko GT-21
- Console compatibility: PC
- Vibration: No
- Wheel diameter: 32cm – GT-Rim flat
- Materials: Brushed steel with suede-finished wheel rim
- Paddles: 2 adjustable magnetic paddles
- Customizable buttons: 1 7-position switch, 10 buttons, 1 rotary encoder
- Lap counter: No
- Display: No
- Connections: Wireless, supplied with Quick Release Wheelside SQR
- Weight: 2.1Kg
Design and ergonomics
From a visual standpoint, it’s beautiful! Well, tastes and colors… We haven’t got our hands on it yet, but the few images presented by the brand suggest that we’re really on a high quality level.
The 32-centimetre diameter also promises excellent grip and wheel control. We could argue, if we were fussy, that over 2Kg for a wheel might seem heavy. But let’s not forget that the aim is to connect it to a Simucube base. Their powerful motors will have no trouble turning the beast.
We can’t wait to try out the Simucube Button for quick force feedback adjustments during races. But the question will be whether this function will really become an everyday asset or just a cool gadget.
Generally speaking, this is a “relatively basic” steering wheel. But that’s hardly surprising, given that this is the brand’s first product. The aim with this first wheel is to offer a model that will appeal to a maximum number of players, whatever their racing preferences or level.
We’ll see if the gamble pays off in a few months’ time, depending on sales and driver feedback!
Installing the Simucube Tahko GT-21 steering wheel
For installation, Simucube has chosen to supply a Quick Release Wheelside SQR with the Tahko GT-21. As for connectivity, it’s still wireless.
The wheel also comes with a set of stickers to customize it and display your passion for the brand on your cockpit, car, skateboard, iron, guitar case… In short, let yourself go.
Tahko GT-21 price and availability
Simucube announces that the Tahko GT-21 will be delivered from the end of November 2021. But you can already order it on the website for €809.
Our verdict on the first Simucube steering wheel to date
It’s a steering wheel. A steering wheel as it already exists, with no major innovations. So of course, over 800€ for a wheel stings! That’s also why we can’t wait to see how it performs in the field. But one thing’s for sure, simracers’ expectations are huge, and they’ll be uncompromising on quality with this kind of price.
So far, that’s all we know about this very first Simucube steering wheel. In any case, we can’t wait to see the first user feedback and, above all, to get our hands on it to test it properly!
See you soon for more news!
