A Sparco wheel and a modular hub in the same box

On paper, this steering wheel is actually a two-piece set. It features the SPARCO GT ClubSport rim—a 310 mm flat rim modeled after the Sparco P310—paired with the CSL Universal Hub V2, which provides the electronics, paddle shifters, and buttons. We like this approach because it places a genuine Sparco-licensed product at the top of the CSL lineup without reaching the price point of the ClubSport carbon fiber rims. In short, it’s a credible entry point for anyone aiming for GT and prototype racing on a Fanatec platform.

In the hand, the Alcantara and a well-chosen diameter

The first thing that stands out is the size. The 310 mm flat rim is just right for GT and single-seater racing—neither too wide nor too compact—and the genuine Alcantara covering the brushed aluminum rim provides a firm grip even with sweaty hands after several stints. The grip is well-contoured; your fingers wrap around it naturally, and even during long sessions, there’s no hard spot that eventually becomes uncomfortable. It’s the kind of rim you forget about once you’re up to speed—which is exactly what you want from it.

Controllers, Buttons, and FunkySwitch in Everyday Life

When it comes to controls, the V2 hub doesn't try to impress but checks all the essential boxes. The eight snap-dome buttons provide a crisp click and are easy to identify by touch thanks to their different shapes, and the two side pads don’t budge an inch when pressed in the middle of a turn. There’s also a two-position rocker, two two-way toggles, and a 7-way FunkySwitch with a rotary encoder—more than enough to navigate the settings menu, adjust force feedback on the fly, and read information on the small three-digit LED display.

The paddles represent a real step up from the first generation. They offer a smooth travel and a satisfying tactile click, with significantly less flex than before. Let’s be honest, there’s still a tiny bit of flex when you press hard, and they don’t have the cold, metallic feel of high-end paddles, but for this price range, the trade-off seems perfectly reasonable to us. A nice bonus is that the paddle spacing is adjustable from 214 to 274 mm, allowing you to customize the setup to fit your hands.

Stiffness and Finish

The hub housing is made entirely of plastic, but the build quality inspires confidence, with a finish on par with the rest of the Fanatec lineup. The metal reinforcement added to the back increases rigidity by about 23 % compared to V1, and you can really feel the difference when using it—the whole unit doesn’t flex and accurately transmits the feedback from the base. The sliding mechanism that adjusts the hub’s width can be operated without complicated tools—simply by loosening a few screws—which makes mounting other rims very straightforward.

Compatibility: What to Check Before Buying

This is the paragraph you should read twice. The unit clips onto the CSL DD, Gran Turismo DD Pro, ClubSport V2, and V2.5 bases, as well as the Podium DD1 and DD2. It works fully on PC and on PlayStation, provided you use a licensed PlayStation base; however, full functionality is only guaranteed on a computer. Please note that this model is not compatible with Xbox—be sure to keep this in mind before ordering. Also note that it is not compatible with the Podium Button Module Endurance or Rally. Finally, the hub accepts all third-party wheels with 6 x 70 mm or 3 x 50 mm bolt patterns, such as Sparco, MOMO, or OMP.

Who, in the end,

The SPARCO GT CSL Steering Wheel is designed for drivers who already have some experience and want a high-quality primary wheel on a Fanatec base without breaking the bank. We love the comfortable Alcantara rim, the hub’s modularity, and its high-quality finish. We’ll just keep in mind the slight residual flex in the paddles and the lack of Xbox support. For GT and prototype racing on PC or PlayStation, the balance between price, feel, and durability really holds up.