On the opening night of the ADAC Sim Racing Expo in its native Germany, Fanatec has taken the covers off a surprise new product: the ClubSport DD and DD+ Wheel Base.
- Fanatec ClubSport DD (US Store) – $699.95
- Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (US Store) – $999.95
- Fanatec ClubSport DD (EU Store) – €699.95
- Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (EU Store) – €999.95
The ClubSport DD is the latest in Fanatec’s new range of direct drive wheelbases, following on from the CSL DD and GT DD Pro launched in 2021. However the much larger units turn the torque up to 12Nm, with the enhanced DD+ sporting even more at 15Nm.
Longer and wider than the CSL DD, the ClubSport DD uses similar technologies. However the main shaft now features a split design for the rotor with offset segments to reduce cogging torque — jerkiness caused by the the natural attraction of the magnetic components.
Fanatec refers to the aluminum shaft itself as “the strongest we’ve ever made”, and naturally it terminates in the new QR2 quick release coupling. That means you’ll need a QR2-equipped wheel to attach to the base, although a downgrade to QR1 is also possible
On the software side, the ClubSport DD features a new force feedback system which Fanatec calls “FullForce” and is specifically designed for its direct drive wheels. This, it promises, will deliver a “new level of immersive effects” courtesy of the response times direct drive can offer.
According to its own tests, the ClubSport DD has a class-leading slew rate — the rate at which the wheel can go from zero to maximum torque — allowing for very rapid changes in wheel torque.
The standard ClubSport DD is compatible with PC hardware out of the box, and can be used with Xbox consoles — on the new Forza Motorsport, for example — through the addition of an Xbox-compatible wheel. Only the DD+ is compatible with PlayStation, and with an Xbox-friendly wheel attached it becomes fully cross-platform.
Players can pre-order the ClubSport DD now, October 13, with the wheel base becoming available on November 7, priced at $/€699.95. The DD+ is not available for pre-order from October 20 and priced at $/€999.95. Both devices are available for attendees at the Sim Racing Expo in Dortmund to try out.
You can help support GTPlanet by ordering through any of the affiliate links above!
See more articles on Fanatec.
