Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm: my post-test opinion

The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm is positioned as the "official" Direct Drive entry point for PlayStation gamers, while remaining usable on PC. On paper, it promises a true Direct Drive engine, a compact design and broad compatibility with the Fanatec ecosystem, all in a package designed for Gran Turismo but not limited to that game.

What makes this model particularly attractive is its hybrid positioning: more serious than a mass-market belt-driven flywheel, less extreme and less expensive than a very powerful Direct Drive base. It's aimed at those who want to make a real leap in sensations, without falling into the race for maximum torque.

My angle here is simple: are the 5 Nm enough to take full advantage of Direct Drive? Is the level of detail, precision and consistency up to the task on a daily basis, on several types of games and cars? And above all, does this DD Pro 5 Nm hold its own against other bases in its category, in terms of fun, comfort and versatility?

Design and manufacture: a compact but serious block

Visually, the Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm base immediately gives the impression of a serious product, without falling into the "gas factory" look. The format is compact and square, with a tight-fitting metal casing and plastic components that don't look cheap. In hand, the base has real density, with a well-contained engine block and no parasitic play.

Cockpit mounting inspires confidence. Once tightened, the base doesn't budge, even with rapid corrections. Overall rigidity is good for this power range: no visible flex, no parasitic chassis vibrations from the base itself. Clean and controlled.

The Gran Turismo steering wheel supplied is more contrasting. The diameter is correct, the grip is pleasant, the grip doesn't slip and the overall finish remains consistent for a pack. Buttons are plentiful, well placed and practical for PlayStation. On the other hand, the materials are still rather "plastic", especially when you come from a higher-end leather or alcantara steering wheel. This doesn't break the immersion, but it's clear that this is an entry-level/mid-range steering wheel in the Fanatec universe.

What's surprising is how clean the whole thing is, for a "Gran Turismo license" kit that could have been more gimmicky. This is a real Fanatec product, not just a branded steering wheel. Compared with belt-driven solutions in similar ranges, the DD Pro 5 Nm immediately gives a more premium impression on the base side, even if the steering wheel remains a notch below what the brand offers on its ClubSport or Podium ranges.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The heart of the DD Pro experience lies in the settings. As usual, Fanatec offers internal menus, accessible directly from the steering wheel: overall force, filter, interpolation, friction, sensitivity... You can do an enormous number of things without even using PC software. This is a real plus for console gamers who want to fine-tune their feel without complicating their lives.

The learning curve is reasonable. If you leave the basic presets, you'll already have a coherent, playable result. With a little time, you can fine-tune the settings for each game, in particular by adjusting the strength to avoid saturation on titles that exaggerate the FFB a little. The menus remain a little arid for a total beginner, but you'll quickly get into a routine of essential settings.

On PC, you benefit from the brand's software, which lets you save profiles for each game and push personalization a little further. On PlayStation, integration is very good: direct recognition, mapped buttons, clear display. Console compatibility is one of this product's strong points, and in practice, it holds up well.

The Fanatec ecosystem around the DD Pro is one of its major assets. You can easily change the steering wheel, add a more serious crankset, a shifter or a handbrake. In this way, the base becomes a real, upgradeable control center. The 5 Nm clearly positions it as an entry point into this universe: it's strong enough to last, but if you're really hooked, you know that the boost kit or a more powerful base will come later. The DD Pro 5 Nm is therefore positioned as a durable base for "serious but reasonable" use, provided you accept this torque limit.

Game sensations: the real benefit of Direct Drive at 5 Nm

Once on the track, the difference with a belt-driven steering wheel in a similar range is clear. What really stands out is the cleanliness of the feedback. The 5 Nm don't rip your arms off, but the torque arrives instantaneously, with no belt inertia, no rubbery effect. You immediately feel that the motor is directly on the axle.

The FFB's precision is its strong point. It's much easier to read what the tires are doing, especially on corner entry and in micro-correction phases. Steering is naturally centered, without exaggeration. When the car starts to widen, you feel the loss of grip progressively, not as a simple "on/off". You immediately understand what the car is doing.

On medium and fast corners, the DD Pro 5 Nm offers a good compromise between resistance and control. The force isn't monstrous, but it's enough to give real consistency to the steering wheel, even on GTs or protos. You can feel the load transfer and grip variations between corner entry and exit. Grip reading is clear, especially on well-tuned FFB sets. This is where the base really changes the experience compared to a more basic solution.

The vibrators are well rendered. You can feel their profile and intensity, without it turning into an unpleasant machine-gun. On aggressive vibrators, the steering wheel reacts frankly, but you retain control. Small track irregularities, slight bumps and rear-end stalls all translate into small, clean, well-separated reactions. You get the impression that every piece of information has its place, without any fog.

Over long sessions, the engine's consistency is much appreciated. No annoying temperature rise, no noticeable loss of power over a prolonged session. The 5 Nm also helps with fatigue: we're in a zone where physical effort remains reasonable, even in endurance. You can ride for a long time without feeling like you're fighting against the bottom.

In fast corrections, in light drifting or on a loss of rear end, the Direct Drive clearly makes the difference compared to a belt-driven base. The steering wheel returns faster, cleaner and you can grip the car with greater confidence. You really feel like you're driving with your fingertips, without having to force it. The limited torque shows its limits, especially if you're looking for a very physical experience, with high DD-like forces of 10 Nm and more. Here, the 5 Nm feels like a ceiling, especially with aggressive settings.

Compared to a more powerful base model from the same brand, we lose torque reserve and punch on big impacts (high vibrators, crashes, abrupt grip changes). On the other hand, the level of detail remains very good. For someone coming from an entry-level wheel, the qualitative leap is enormous. For someone already familiar with a good belt-driven steering wheel, the difference lies more in the finesse, responsiveness and cleanliness of the signals than in sheer force. Driving pleasure, on the other hand, takes a real leap forward.

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

The Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm is clearly aimed at the motivated intermediate driver, or the serious beginner who wants to invest directly in something solid. It's also an excellent entry point for console gamers who want to finally get a taste of Direct Drive without starting out with an inordinate setup. On the PC, it remains entirely relevant for those who prefer finesse and compatibility to raw power.

What I really like is the combination of precision, compactness and versatility. The level of detail in the FFB is well above that of conventional consumer steering wheels. The base is unobtrusive enough to fit into a lounge setup as well as a dedicated cockpit. And the Fanatec ecosystem around it means that the rest of the hardware can be upgraded progressively: new steering wheel, more serious crankset, addition of shifter or handbrake. You get the feeling you're investing in a platform, not just an isolated kit.

As far as limits are concerned, the 5 Nm clearly show their limits if you're looking for a very physical experience. Fans of big GT3s with high forces, or those who drive at very high intensity, will find the torque a little light, especially if you've already tasted more powerful Direct Drive. As for the original Gran Turismo steering wheel, it does the job well, but lags behind more high-end steering wheels in terms of materials: very present plastic, less premium feel. Finally, the wealth of settings may confuse a complete novice, who may get a little lost before reaching a rendering perfectly suited to his or her taste.

In terms of perceived value, this is a serious but coherent investment. The Direct Drive base, PlayStation compatibility, access to the ecosystem and overall quality make this an excellent product in terms of features and feel, for those who want to take sim racing to the next level without immediately aiming for the very top of the range.

Verdict: a truly solid entry into the world of Direct Drive

The Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro 5 Nm changes one thing above all in a setup: the quality of the information that reaches your hands. We go from a steering wheel that "simulates" forces to a motor that transmits them more directly, more cleanly and more controllably. All this in a compact, console- and PC-compatible format that doesn't require a reinforced cockpit like some power monsters.

On the market, it's clearly positioned in the Direct Drive mid-range, with a pivotal role: more accomplished and more immersive than belt-driven solutions, but more accessible and easier to live with than the big high-end bases. It's aimed at serious players who play regularly, but aren't necessarily looking to recreate the effort of a real racing wheel at every session.

I'd recommend it to PlayStation gamers who want an upgradeable, credible setup, to intermediate PC drivers who prefer finesse to brute force, and to anyone who wants to enter the Fanatec ecosystem without starting out with an oversized base. On the other hand, if you already know that you want an ultra-physical feel, or if you're ready to invest directly in a more powerful base, this model may seem a little wise.

If you're looking for a serious, versatile, console-compatible first Direct Drive that's ready to grow with you, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.