Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Porsche 911 GT3 R V2 for Xbox (Suede) : test & review

The ClubSport Steering Wheel Porsche 911 GT3 R V2 for Xbox (Suede) is clearly positioned as a "serious premium" steering wheel in the Fanatec ecosystem. It's not just a replacement wheel: it's a modern GT3 replica, designed for ClubSport and Podium bases, with integrated Xbox compatibility and a highly immersion-oriented approach.

On paper, it promises three things: shape and size realism very close to that of a real steering wheel, GT-style ergonomics that work just as well in GT3 as in prototypes or modern rallying, and full integration into the Fanatec ecosystem, whether on PC or Xbox. The aim is clear: to offer a "high-end all-rounder" steering wheel for those who want to move up a gear without turning to ultra-niche customization.

My angle is simple: at this price level, I expect exemplary finish, comfort that lasts for several hours, a fine reading of the car in the hands, and no-nonsense ergonomics. For me, the appeal of this steering wheel lies in three areas: the quality of the suede grip, the accessibility of the controls in action, and the overall realism of the powerful Direct Drive underpinnings. This is where this type of product really needs to justify its existence in a setup.

Design, manufacture and feel

In hand, the first contact is very clear: you're holding a dense, rigid steering wheel with real presence. The GT3-style diameter immediately gives the right scale, neither too small for F1 nor too big for the road. You can feel that Fanatec is aiming for modern circuit driving, without arcade compromises.

The suede is of good quality, fairly thick, with a grain that grips the gloves well. With bare hands, the feel is pleasant, but it's immediately clear that this material is designed to be used with gloves if you want to preserve it over time. The seam is clean and even, with no annoying thickening under the fingers. We're not looking for flaws, we're concentrating on the grip.

The steering wheel structure is rigid, with no perceptible flex, even when deliberately twisted. Assembly with the integrated ClubSport hub is clean, tolerances under control, nothing moves, nothing vibrates outside the FFB. The whole thing exudes seriousness. Clearly a cut above the more "entry-level" Fanatec wheels or those of other plastic-oriented brands.

Where it really impresses is the overall solid feel. Buttons click, rotaries rotate with a well-balanced resistance, paddles fall naturally to the touch. It feels like a product designed to withstand hours and hours of riding.

What may be slightly disappointing is that, despite the price, we're still talking about a "premium industrial" finish rather than a "custom racing jewel". The suede, in particular, does a very good job, but doesn't give the same sense of perfection as some ultra-high-end custom wheels. Compared to other Fanatec ClubSport steering wheels, the increase in quality is more a question of ergonomics and overall feel, rather than a massive leap in finish.

Settings, customization and compatibility

As far as settings are concerned, we're still in the Fanatec world: everything goes through the base (or quick menu) and through the PC software if you want to fine-tune. The steering wheel itself is not there to multiply complications, but to provide well-placed controls. Honestly, the ergonomics are a success: essential buttons are accessible without taking your hands off the wheel, rotaries are race-ready for ABS, TC or brake bias, and placement logic remains intuitive.

The learning curve for the controls is reasonable. There are quite a few buttons and inputs, but you don't feel swamped. After a few sessions, everything becomes automatic: you know where to go to change an engine map or a mixture, without having to look at the steering wheel. Exactly what you'd expect from a GT3-style steering wheel.

As far as customization is concerned, the main interest lies in assigning controls to games and Fanatec profiles. You can easily adjust the FFB's overall force, damping, friction and effect sensitivity. The steering wheel reacts very cleanly to these changes, with no dead zones or strange behavior. You can feel that the mechanical link with the base is solid and that information is transmitted without any superfluous filter.

In terms of compatibility, this is one of its big selling points. Thanks to the Xbox license built into the hub, it can be used on both PC and Xbox console, as long as the Fanatec base is compatible too. On PlayStation, compatibility depends on the base, as always with Fanatec. The surrounding ecosystem is extensive: pedalboards, shifters, handbrakes, cockpits... this steering wheel fits naturally into a setup already equipped with Fanatec.

In practice, it's not a simple entry point, but rather a steering wheel designed to last in a serious sim racer setup. It's easy to start with a ClubSport base and upgrade to a more powerful Podium without having to replace it. It keeps pace with the move upmarket without being overtaken.

Sensations in play: the heart of the experience

It's once on the track that this ClubSport Porsche 911 GT3 R V2 (Suede) really shows its worth. The first thing that strikes you is the precision of the information that reaches your hands. The steering wheel doesn't just turn with force, it cuts out FFB details with finesse, especially on a well-tuned Direct Drive base.

In fast corners, you can clearly feel the load rising in the steering wheel, the steering hardening, then the slight float as you reach the limit of grip. The transition from "it's holding" to "it's starting to slide" is clear and progressive. You immediately understand what the car is doing. This is where the diameter/shape/stiffness combo really comes into its own.

Grip readings are particularly convincing. In GT3, for example, you can feel the micro-drift of the front drivetrain, the sensation of a tire that "slips slightly but holds on". With front-wheel drive or powerful rear-wheel drive, loss of grip becomes predictable. You can anticipate and correct earlier, with fewer violent surprises. This kind of steering wheel, on a good base, gives you the feeling of steering the car with your fingertips, not just steering it.

On vibrators, the rendering is dry but not brutal. Aggressive edges stand out, especially on circuits such as SPA, Monza or certain urban tracks. The steering wheel conveys the texture of the track without becoming muddy. There's little extraneous noise, even with effects pushed a little too far. Surface changes (asphalt, vibratory, astroturf, gravel) are easy to distinguish.

On long sessions, comfort is a positive surprise. The overall shape of the steering wheel allows you to vary your hand position slightly without losing control. The suede gives enough grip to avoid having to grip like crazy, especially with gloves on. You finish a long run with forearms tired from the intensity, but no particular pain from the steering wheel itself.

The steering wheel responds quickly to fast corrections, especially when gliding or taking up oversteer, and doesn't feel like it's dragging. Stiffness helps a lot: when you counter-steer, you feel that every degree of rotation is taken into account by the base. Small oscillations are easy to control, and you can dose them without feeling like you're fighting a "soft" steering wheel.

Compared with a flywheel mounted on a less powerful base or with a conventional belt drive, the gain lies in the clarity of the feedback. Small pieces of information, often filtered or drowned out, come through more clearly here. The car feels more "alive" in your hands. Compared with very light or more entry-level steering wheels, we also gain in stability and consistency. The density of the steering wheel contributes to this feeling of seriousness.

Compared to a much more powerful base, the steering wheel doesn't really limit potential. It handles high forces without flinching, and remains easy to read. The real limitation comes more from the base itself than from the steering wheel. The ClubSport Porsche 911 GT3 R V2 doesn't create an artificial effect; it lets the base express itself fully, while adding its own signature of comfort and precision.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

This steering wheel is clearly aimed at intermediate to advanced sim racers, those who drive regularly, who already have a decent Fanatec base and who want to enhance their GT3/GT immersion. On Xbox, it acts as a "serious" steering wheel for those who want to move away from beginner kits. On the PC, it fits perfectly into an endurance, GT and modern racing-oriented setup.

What I appreciate most is the quality of the feedback coupled with the overall rigidity. The steering wheel always feels under control, even in extreme situations. I also like the overall ergonomics: the buttons fall nicely, the rotaries are race-ready, and you can really manage your car as you would in real life, without getting lost. Finally, built-in Xbox compatibility and seamless integration into the Fanatec ecosystem make this a reassuring choice: you know it will keep pace with setup evolutions without becoming obsolete too quickly. For someone who invests seriously in his hardware, the perceived value is solid.

On the other hand, there are a few limitations. The first is suede: fantastic in terms of feel, but demanding in terms of maintenance and clearly more fragile if you often ride barehanded. You have to accept this constraint, and possibly invest in a pair of gloves. The second is price positioning: we're in a zone where some sim racers will hesitate between this steering wheel and more specialized or custom options. You really have to want this GT3 format and Xbox compatibility to fully justify it. Thirdly, for a complete beginner, this steering wheel may seem a little oversized: lots of buttons, a glove-like grip, and a price that only makes sense if you really exploit its qualities.

For users already involved in sim racing, who see their setup as a long-term investment rather than an impulse purchase, this ClubSport Porsche 911 GT3 R V2 clearly makes sense. It ticks a lot of important boxes: sensations, comfort, versatility, integration.

Verdict: a serious GT3 steering wheel for demanding setups

This steering wheel mainly changes one thing in a setup: the way you read the car. It doesn't just give a nice Porsche look, it brings real coherence between shape, size, grip and the way the FFB feels in the hands. It's like going from a good "generalist" steering wheel to a driving tool designed for modern racing.

On the market, it's clearly in the premium segment, without going as far as ultra-exclusive custom-made steering wheels. This is an "accessible" high-end product for serious sim racers, not a gadget, not a piece of equipment for beginners. It makes perfect sense with a ClubSport or Podium base, and in an environment where people ride regularly.

I'd recommend it to those who drive mainly GT3/GT or proto cars, who want immersion close to the real thing, and who already use or plan to use a high-performance Fanatec base. For an occasional neophyte or someone just looking for a versatile steering wheel on a budget, it's not the best choice: it would be under-utilized, and its price would become hard to defend.

If you're looking for a rigid, precise, immersive GT3 steering wheel capable of following a high-end Direct Drive base on PC and Xbox, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.