Released a few months ago, the Fanatec Gran Turismo Extreme bundle is the reference for PlayStation gamers who want Direct Drive excellence. The bundle, which includes the CS DD base and ClubSport Gran Turismo steering wheel, is priced at €1,299.95. But is it really worth the price the Germans are asking? The answer is, for once, uncertain!
Fanatec Gran Turismo Extreme in brief Best Values
What does the Fanatec Gran Turismo Extreme steering wheel look like?
| Diameter | 30cm |
| Materials | Plastic, aluminum |
| Grips | Leatherette |
| Paddles | 2 magnetic paddles for shifting gears. 2 analog paddles for Dual Clutch |
| Vane operating noise | 67dB |
| Customizable buttons | 11 configurable buttons, 4 5-position buttons with LED banding, 1 Funcky Switch 7 positions |
| Lap counter | Customizable LED lap counters. |
| Flag display | Yes, 3 LEDs on each side. |
| Screen | Yes 2.7″ OLED. Works with Fanalab. |
| Quick Release | Fanatec QR2 Lite (debrided to develop the full power of the base) |
| Compatibility | PC – Playstation |
The CS DD base in a nutshell
I won’t insult you by giving you a full review of the ClubSport DD base. We’ve already had a chance to see it in all its details in this article, which I invite you to read: Test of the Fanatec CS DD. But here’s a summary of its main features:
| Compatibility | PC, Playstation. The base is also Xbox-compatible if you install an Xbox-compatible steering wheel. |
| Dimensions | Length 20.2cm and 24.5cm including QR, Width 15cm, Height 15.6cm |
| Motor | Direct Drive – Brushless Servo Motor Fanatec |
| Torque | Peak: 15Nm Constant: 15Nm Slew Rate : Not communicated(estimated at 7.1-7.2Nm/ms according to the graph provided by the brand) |
| Encoder | Not communicated |
| Turning range | 90° to 2520° Adjustable via software |
| Connections | 1 USB-C output to PC Power supply 1 CAN connection 1 Pedalboard connection 2 Shifter connections 1 Handbrake connection |
| Wheel mounting | Quick Release Fanatec QR2 |
Ergonomics and design
I’d like to focus on the steering wheel, which was a real “surprise” for me. The ClubSport range is synonymous with top-quality steering wheels, generally priced between €300 and €500, but with quality finishes to match.
Unfortunately, this is not really the case this time. The first thing to note is that, despite a 30cm leatherette hoop, the entire center of the steering wheel is made of plastic. And not necessarily the best quality Fanatec has ever produced. It’s also the four unsexy plastic 5-position selectors that bother me about this steering wheel. Not only are they unattractive, but their click is well below expectations at this price. Rather soft, uneven, and I wouldn’t put much stock in their longevity over long-term intensive use.
At the rear, another disappointment! The steering wheel is equipped with the Fanatec QR2 Lite. So, let’s face it, this Quick Release isn’t bad in itself. But when you put €1,300 on the table to get a quality bundle, ending up with the brand’s entry-level QR is a bit much.
Despite this, there are some positives to be taken from it! As I said earlier, the grip is made of leatherette that’s pleasant to the touch, there’s a 2.7-inch screen to display telemetry, and LEDs for both lap counter and race flags.
In the box:
- ClubSport Gran Turismo steering wheel
- Fanatec CS DD base
- Sticker board
- USB-C / USB-A cable
- 4 T-nuts
- Quick start guide
4 aluminum paddles
At the rear, you’ll find not two but 4 paddles. Two magnetic paddles for shifting gears and two analog paddles for the Dual Clutch or throttle and brake axes, for example. The paddle plates are made of 3mm-thick anodized aluminum and molded for ease of handling.
When it comes to shifting gears, there’s nothing to say: the click is pleasantly clear and precise. What’s more, they’re very quiet at just 67dB, making them one of the quietest shifters on the market. As for the two analog paddles, their linear stroke is also pleasant and precise. In short, a job well done!
Comfort and feel
Once out on the track, I quickly forgot my first setbacks with the GT DD Extreme and enjoyed myself. A pleasure for which we can thank above all the CS DD base, which does its job really well. In terms of both detail and responsiveness, Fanatec once again proves that they know how to get the job done.
The steering wheel is very pleasant to hold, even during long sessions. But when it comes to button ergonomics on the track, we’re way off the mark. The vast majority of functions require you to remove your fingers from the grip, and the lack of precision of the 4 5-position selectors is really frustrating.
As for rigidity, there’s nothing to say. Like the QR2 Lite, it can withstand 15Nm without flinching. You really have to force it with right-to-left movements to notice a slight flexibility coming from the flywheel/QR junction.
One positive point! The force feedback adjustments that can be made (as always with Fanatec) directly from the steering wheel, take full advantage of this large screen, which makes it easier to read and understand which adjustment is being modified.
On the other hand, this screen is rather limited in the information it can give you on the track. Basically, you’re limited to the settings proposed by the Fanalab software, with no possibility of creating your own displays. I understand that this screen is part of the arguments that make the Gran Turismo steering wheel a “ClubSport” class model, but I would have preferred to have no screen at all, in favor of a more polished finish and an aluminum QR!
