In the world of licensed steering wheels, the Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 V2 is in a class of its own. It's neither a simple entry-level wheel, nor a hyper-premium carbon-fiber model. It's a steering wheel designed for the simracer who wants serious GT immersion without blowing his budget, with very modern racing-oriented ergonomics. Above all, it promises two things: a feel close to that of a real GT3 steering wheel and broad compatibility with the Fanatec ecosystem.

What attracts is this mix of replica design, "pure sim racing" functionality and a price that's still affordable for officially licensed hardware. On paper, we have a steering wheel designed for GT and LMP, with enough controls to manage a complete race without touching the keyboard. My angle here is simple: does it offer a real gain in control, comfort and consistency over a more basic bundle-type steering wheel? And above all, does it hold up over time, both in terms of feel and reliability, for someone who rides several times a week?

Design and manufacturing

In hand, the McLaren GT3 V2 immediately gives a serious impression. The main structure is made of reinforced plastic, but the molding is clean, the joints are neat, and nothing cracks when slightly bent. We're not on the level of a full metal and carbon steering wheel, but the rigidity is more than sufficient for CSL and Clubsport bases, even in moderate Direct Drive. Visually, the McLaren license is well exploited: a typical GT3 shape, black fronts and colored accents, it's clean and legible.

The handles are covered with a rubber-like material. In practice, it feels good in the hand, even without gloves, and prevents sweat from slipping off as it does on some poorly-treated leathers. The texture gives confidence, especially under hard braking or aggressive corrections. You can feel that the steering wheel has been designed to be used for long periods without excessive hand fatigue. The more compact diameter than a "road" steering wheel reinforces this feeling of direct control.

The front buttons are well finished overall. The travel is clear, and the click sensation is distinct. You can feel where you're pressing, which helps when you need to engage a mapping on the fly. The rotary encoders are decent, not the most premium on the market, but precise enough to manage brake bias, TC or engine mixture. The small switches and additional paddles give a pleasant and, above all, usable "racing cockpit" feel.

The gearshift paddles are metal, with a magnetic-type system. The feel is quite dry and fast. There's a distinct "click" that gives the sensation of locking in every gear change. It really adds to the immersion. On the other hand, they can seem a little noisy if your setup is in a shared environment. Another small drawback: the plastic dominating the structure is a reminder that this is not a very high-end steering wheel. Compared with a metal/leather steering wheel from the same manufacturer, it's a little less "massive", but we're still clearly a cut above the entry-level steering wheels available in bundles.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The McLaren GT3 V2 takes full advantage of the Fanatec ecosystem. Configuration is via the menus integrated into the bases and via the PC software. In practice, you can adjust rotation sensitivity, overall force, FFB filters and vibration settings, base permitting. The steering wheel itself doesn't feature an OLED-type screen, but the various buttons and rotators compensate for this by allowing you to manage many parameters directly in-game via the simulation menus.

The learning curve is reasonable. The layout of the controls is fairly logical, and you soon learn where the critical buttons are (pit limiter, radio, map change, ABS, TC). After a few sessions, I don't really need to look at the steering wheel to act, which is essential in racing. For someone coming from a simple steering wheel with two paddles and a few buttons, there's a clear gain in race management capability. The steering wheel lets you "drive the car" and "manage the race" without taking your eyes off the track.

In terms of compatibility, it's fully at home on PCs with most recent Fanatec bases, and there are console-friendly variants depending on the bases used. The advantage is that you can upgrade your setup: start with a more modest base, then move on to a more powerful Fanatec Direct Drive without changing the steering wheel. It integrates well into an ecosystem with CSL or Clubsport crankset, shifter, handbrake and rigid cockpit. It's the kind of steering wheel you keep when you move upmarket.

As far as customization is concerned, the absence of leather or alcantara grips somewhat reduces the scope for aesthetic customization, but in practice this is not a hindrance. The important thing is to configure the controls and FFB in the software. On this point, we have everything you need to adapt the behavior to the different simulations: GT3 on ACC, protos and LMP on iRacing, and even road cars or light single-seaters if you like the GT format for everything.

Sensations in play

Where the McLaren GT3 V2 really comes into its own is on the track. The compact shape and grip of the grips immediately give a sense of precision. Every movement of the wrist is clearly reflected in the steering. When cornering, you can feel the load shifting to the front end, especially with a Direct Drive base or a good belt base. You get that feeling of being connected to the car, without needing to make big, unnecessary movements.

Grip feedback is convincing. Small losses of grip, the beginnings of understeer or oversteer are felt progressively. It's not the steering wheel that creates this feedback, of course, but its shape, rigidity and materials influence how it's perceived. With this model, I find the micro-corrections quite natural, especially on corner exits when the rear end tries to open up. The more compact GT format enables quick, controlled corrections. When the car moves, the reaction is immediate.

On the vibrators, the feel depends very much on the base, but the steering wheel doesn't filter too much. Vibrations pass through well, and it's easy to distinguish an aggressive vibrator from a flatter one. On some sims, you can clearly feel the difference between a flat vibrator and one with just one wheel. It really helps to place the car at the limit. It's not "violent" like some very stiff steering wheels coupled with powerful bases, but you feel enough texture.

Comfort is good for long sessions. The rubber grip is less tiring on the hands than some hard leathers. The shape allows you to keep a fairly relaxed grip in a straight line, without having to force yourself to hold the wheel. Over an hour's racing, fatigue comes more from concentration and the FFB than from the steering wheel itself. The magnetic paddles remain pleasant even after hundreds of gear changes, with a well-defined activation point. The click remains constant, with no sensation of sluggishness over time.

For fast corrections, especially when sliding or wheel-to-wheel racing, the steering wheel copes well. The small size really helps to keep control when the car stalls. You can easily make quick countersteers without losing track of your hands on the wheel. In these situations, it's easy to see the advantage of a GT-type steering wheel over a large, slower-to-maneuver road wheel. You can feel the car swiveling around you.

Compared with a more basic steering wheel supplied as a bundle with an entry-level base, the difference is felt above all in the precision and control of the controls. We go from "I'm driving" to "I'm driving and managing my car just like in real life", thanks to the number and layout of buttons, as well as the shape more suited to sporty driving. Compared to more high-end steering wheels made of noble materials, this McLaren V2 is a little less premium in terms of feel, but it's clearly not out of its depth in terms of pure driving feel. For many simracers, it represents an excellent balance between feel, control and budget.

Who's it for? What we like, what we don't like

The CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 is clearly aimed at the intermediate to advanced simracer who mainly drives GT, proto or endurance cars. It's ideal for someone who already has a minimum of setup (Fanatec base, cockpit or at least a stable support) and wants to move up to a more serious steering wheel without going into the extreme price range. On consoles with a compatible base, it offers a real step up in price compared with pack steering wheels. On PC, it perfectly combines fun, competitiveness and immersion.

What I appreciate most is the combination of comfort and efficiency. The grip on the handles is really reassuring, and you can hold the steering wheel without tensing up. The layout of the buttons is intelligent: you can easily access critical functions, which changes the way you manage a race. Magnetic paddles add to the pleasure of driving, with a crisp click that gives the sensation of precise mechanics. You get the feeling of having a truly modern racing-oriented tool in your hands. It's a real "control upgrade" compared to many generalist steering wheels.

But there are clear limits. Firstly, the predominantly plastic construction is a reminder that we're not dealing with a very high-end product. This doesn't necessarily affect performance, but in terms of feel and touch, some will prefer metal and leather. Secondly, the noise of the paddles can be a little intrusive depending on your environment, especially if you're driving in a shared room at night. Finally, it's a very GT3-type steering wheel: those who drive mainly rally, drift or classic road cars may find the format less suitable or less versatile than more traditional round steering wheels.

In terms of value, this is a reasonable investment. It's not the cheapest, but the "immersion/control/perceived quality" ratio is coherent for someone who rides regularly. You're not just paying for the McLaren logo, you're getting a real functional gain in terms of race management and in-game precision. For a progressing setup, this is a solid link that can accompany you for several years.

Verdict

The Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 V2 brings a real change to a GT and endurance-oriented setup. We've gone from a versatile but limited steering wheel to a tool truly adapted to modern driving, with ergonomics designed for long races and fine car management. It's not a pure luxury item, but a well-designed steering wheel, sufficiently robust and very pleasant to play with.

On the market, it's clearly positioned in the "serious" mid-range: more immersive and functional than entry-level steering wheels, less premium than full-metal and carbon models, but more than enough to drive hard in leagues or amateur competitions. For a simracer who spends a lot of time in GT3 / GT4 / LMP, the format and controls are just right.

I'd recommend it to those who are already rooted in the Fanatec ecosystem, who ride regularly and who want a racing-type steering wheel without breaking the price barrier of the higher ranges. On the other hand, if you're more into rallying or drifting, or if you're looking for an ultra-high-end steering wheel in noble materials, there are options more suited to your needs. If you're looking for a steering wheel that's immersive, efficient and clearly designed for modern GT, this product could make all the difference to your setup.