Fanatec CSL Steering Wheel SPARCO® GT: test & full review

In the Fanatec range, the CSL Steering Wheel SPARCO® GT is clearly positioned as a "serious evolution" steering wheel for gamers who want to take their game to the next level without going over the top. It's a GT-style steering wheel, designed for modern sim racing, with a genuine Sparco partnership and a price that's still reasonable within the Fanatec ecosystem.

On paper, it promises an interesting mix: a realistic diameter for modern GTs, a coating close to that of a racing wheel, well-placed buttons, broad compatibility with Fanatec bases, all in a product designed to run on PC and console. The idea is to offer a credible steering wheel for anyone running ACC, iRacing, GT7 or Forza, without ending up with an ultra-honed monster reserved for purists.

My angle here is simple: does this wheel offer a real gain in feel and comfort over entry-level wheels, and does it hold up for long sessions on a Direct Drive base? I'm concentrating on feel in hand, build quality, on-track ergonomics and the coherence of the product in a current Fanatec setup.

The aim: to find out whether this SPARCO GT deserves its place as the main steering wheel for a demanding sim racer, or rather as a specialized option within a wider range of steering wheels.

Design & manufacturing

In hand, the Fanatec CSL Steering Wheel SPARCO® GT immediately gives a serious impression. The diameter is typically modern GT, neither too large nor too compact, making it comfortable for both sprints and long races. The hoop itself is solid, with a rigidity that's reassuring from the very first touch in the corners. You can tell it's not a toy.

The upholstery is inspired by the real world, with a finish reminiscent of alcantara or a competition-oriented imitation, depending on the version. The texture grips just right, without being aggressive. With gloves on, you're immediately at ease. With bare hands, the feel is pleasant, even if, as is often the case with this type of material, you'll have to watch for wear over time if you ride a lot.

The metal areas, the center of the steering wheel and the faceplate give an overall impression of controlled density. It's not an ultra-heavy steering wheel, but neither is it the lightweight plastic of entry-level bundles. The buttons are well integrated, with correct travel and a clear click. Particular care has been taken with the feel of the paddles: their click is crisp and precise, with feedback that gives immediate confidence for rapid gear changes.

What's surprising is the good balance between racing look and versatility. It's not an extreme single-seater steering wheel, nor is it a big road wheel. It really gives the impression of a steering wheel designed for modern GTs and prototypes.

Where it may slightly disappoint is in certain plastic finishing details around the knobs and hub, which remind us that we're still in the "CSL" segment and not in a ClubSport or Podium range. The overall feel, however, remains far superior to a first-price steering wheel from another manufacturer, especially in terms of hoop rigidity and paddle quality.

Compared to the round entry-level steering wheels supplied in some Fanatec bundles, this SPARCO GT makes a real leap in perception: more serious, more precise, more "pure sim racing" in feel.

Settings, customization & compatibility

We're staying within the Fanatec ecosystem here, and that's a key point. This steering wheel is designed to be clipped directly onto CSL DD, Gran Turismo DD Pro, ClubSport and other compatible bases. Assembly is simple, and you benefit from all the adjustment options already available in the firmware and Fanatec software.

Customization is mostly basic: force feedback, filtering, damping, minimum FFB, interpolation. The steering wheel itself doesn't feature tons of complex menus, and that's a good thing. There are enough buttons to manage the key functions in play: a mix of controls for headlights, ERS, traction management, views, etc., without falling into the overload of high-end steering wheels with rotors everywhere.

The learning curve is reasonable. You quickly find a logical mapping of the buttons for the main sims. Controls are easy to locate on the track, without having to look at the steering wheel every two minutes. The positions of the main buttons are well thought out for GT use: accessible without taking your hands off the wheel, especially for view changes, flashes, pit requests or brake balance.

On PCs, you benefit from the widest compatibility, with settings detailed in the Fanatec software. On consoles, it all depends on the base you're using: it's the base that dictates Xbox or PlayStation compatibility. The steering wheel itself has been designed to integrate seamlessly into the system as long as the base is supported by the platform.

In terms of ecosystem, we're still talking 100 % Fanatec: pedals, shifters, handbrakes, everything fits together naturally. The beauty of this steering wheel is that it can be used as the main steering wheel on a CSL DD base, while remaining consistent if you later upgrade to a more powerful base. It's not limited to entry-level use.

In terms of scalability, it's a good entry point for a setup that wants to grow: you can start with this wheel on a CSL base, then take it to a ClubSport or Podium without it looking "small" in the setup.

Sensations in play

It's on the virtual track that the SPARCO GT best shows its character. The diameter, hoop shape and overall rigidity immediately give a precise feel, especially on a Direct Drive base. You can feel the micro-variations in torque transmitted by the base, without the steering wheel filtering or dampening the signals excessively.

On fast bends, the steering wheel remains perfectly stable in your hands. Force feedback is clear, resistance increases progressively as you load the front, and the steering doesn't "float". You quickly understand where the front axle's grip limit is. Grip reading is really solid for this steering wheel range. You can feel the beginnings of understeer, the moment when the tire starts to slip, and the small, gradual stalls are clearly perceptible.

On the vibrators, the behavior is clean: you can feel the structure of the vibrator, the striations, the repeated little shocks. It's not overplayed or totally smooth. On a weaker base, the effect will obviously be less detailed, but the steering wheel doesn't interfere with the information. On a more powerful base, you gain even more nuance without the steering wheel showing any weakness in rigidity, which is important to keep the steering firm.

The SPARCO GT is easy to catch when making quick corrections, such as oversteer. The shape of the hoop makes it easy to grasp, and the grip of the surface is a great help in linking small counter-steers without slipping. The well-sized paddles don't get in the way during these rescue phases, even with a slightly aggressive riding style. You can really "catch" the steering wheel on the fly, without losing contact.

Comfort is good over long sessions. The reasonable diameter prevents shoulder fatigue like some oversize wheels. The coating holds well, provided you use gloves if you're doing very long runs, if only to preserve the material. Fatigue comes more from the strength of the base than from the wheel itself. Grip remains constant and hands naturally find a good position at 9:15 or 10:10, depending on your preference.

In terms of immersion, we're clearly a cut above plastic bundle steering wheels. The Sparco visuals, the GT design and the solid feel give the impression of holding a real "civilized" racing wheel. This changes the way you perceive the car, especially on GT3s, GT4s, LMPs and certain sporty road cars.

Compared with a more basic steering wheel, the gain is mainly in the finesse of the information you feel and the confidence you can have in your support. You dare to go hard into the corner because you have a better feel for what the front end is doing. On the other hand, compared with very high-end steering wheels such as ClubSport or GT-specific Podium, we lose a little in terms of sophistication of finish and number of advanced controls, but the raw feel of the FFB remains very competitive for the price.

On a less powerful or non Direct Drive base, the flywheel remains interesting: it won't miraculously increase power tenfold, but it will better transmit what the base already offers, filtering less and remaining more precise in the hands. On a more powerful base, it holds its course completely, without vibrating or twisting, which is a good indicator of its structural quality.

Overall, we have a steering wheel that gives us confidence. You know where you put the car. You can feel when you're asking too much. And that's exactly what you'd expect from a good GT steering wheel.

Who's it for? Strengths & weaknesses

The Fanatec CSL Steering Wheel SPARCO® GT is clearly aimed at the motivated intermediate to advanced sim racer who regularly rides on CSL DD or higher bases. It may suit a serious beginner who wants to build up a coherent setup straight away, but it will be especially appreciated by those who already have a bit of experience and are looking for a steering wheel that is more race-oriented than the basic models.

Among its real strengths, first and foremost, is its convincing GT feel. The diameter, shape and rigidity of the hoop make it an excellent companion for modern GTs and protos. Then there's the overall build quality, especially in terms of paddles and overall rigidity, which inspires confidence, even on more powerful bases. Last but not least, integration into the Fanatec ecosystem and PC/console compatibility via the bases make it an easy wheel to integrate into almost any current Fanatec set-up.

As far as limits are concerned, we have to accept that we're still in the CSL universe. Some finishing details are a little less premium than ClubSport steering wheels: a few plastic parts, a slightly less "luxury" feel when compared directly to much more expensive models. Secondly, the number of controls and rotors remains reasonable: sufficient for most uses, but a little short for those who want to manage a multitude of live settings in ultra-high-end multi-class endurance style. Last but not least, the competition-oriented surface requires a minimum of care. Without gloves, it can wear out more quickly if you ride very often.

In terms of perceived value, it's a coherent investment. It's not a super-budget investment, but you're paying for a Sparco/Fanatec product that holds up over time and offers a real qualitative leap over basic wheels. For those who intend to keep their setup for several years, the ratio between price, feel and versatility remains very interesting.

Verdict

This Fanatec CSL Steering Wheel SPARCO® GT adds a real plus to any setup, especially if you mainly race GTs and protos. It's a great replacement for basic bundle wheels, and a credible main steering wheel for the majority of Fanatec-equipped sim racers. Steering becomes more precise, immersion goes up a notch, and confidence at the wheel naturally follows.

On the market, it occupies a solid "sporty" mid-range position: more serious and better built than the entry-level models, but still affordable compared to the much more expensive ClubSport or Podium wheels. It's an interesting point of balance for those who don't want to blow their budget, but are looking for a product with a real GT personality.

I clearly recommend it to players with a CSL DD base or higher, who mainly drive touring cars, GTs, modern prototypes or road sports cars. For an F1 or single-seater purist, a smaller, more formulaic steering wheel will be more appropriate. For the occasional console-only gamer, it may be a little oversized.

If you're looking for a serious, immersive and durable GT steering wheel to accompany a Fanatec base, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.