Direct drive is no longer just for big budgets

For a long time, getting your hands on a true direct-drive setup meant dealing with a heavy, expensive base unit designed for PCs. The Gran Turismo DD Pro breaks that mold by offering an officially PlayStation-licensed direct-drive motor, complete with a pedal set included in the box. That’s the angle we’re taking with it: not as the ultimate steering wheel, but as the most credible gateway to direct drive for console gamers. And from the very first few laps, it’s clear why it’s caused such a stir.

On the track, smoothness makes all the difference

What immediately stands out is the smoothness of the force feedback. Where a gear-driven steering wheel transmits jerks and clattering noises, the DD Pro delivers smooth, almost silky torque. On a clean asphalt surface, you can feel the downforce build as you enter a turn, the tires grip the road, and then gradually give way when you push too hard. This progressive response—that moment when the front end starts to slide—is perfectly discernible: you can play with the limit instead of being at its mercy.

We found this quality in both high-downforce single-seaters and GT3s. FluxBarrier technology reduces the cogging and grain typically found in entry-level models, to the point where they become virtually imperceptible in the heat of the action. During hard braking, when the rear end starts to slide, the steering wheel conveys these micro-movements with enough finesse that you can correct the car instinctively. It is precisely during these technical moments when the rear end is put under stress that the DD Pro fully justifies its switch to direct drive.

Another great feature we appreciate over time is the silence. The mostly metal chassis acts as a heat sink, eliminating the need for a fan. During long sessions, the base barely gets warm and makes no noise at all—a real comfort when you’re playing back-to-back matches late at night.

Where the 5 Nm reveal their limits

This version produces 5 Nm, and we need to be honest about what that means. On dry surfaces and with lightweight cars, the headroom is more than enough. But as soon as you move on to heavier cars, the nuances can get lost: to distinguish the weight transfer of a GT3 from that of a lighter car, you end up pushing the settings to the limit, even if it means cranking the damping all the way up. The dynamic range narrows, and certain subtle details only emerge when you’re pushing the limits of clipping.

Off-road driving also highlights this limitation. In rally driving, loose surfaces really bring out its lightness, but the undulations of a special stage—the bumps that should really shake your arms—are somewhat lost due to a lack of peak power. For drifting or rally driving where high torque is essential, it’s easy to see why Fanatec offers the optional Boost Kit 180, which increases the base torque to 8 Nm. When properly mounted on a rigid cockpit, it significantly enhances the driving experience. On a mount that flexes, however, the benefit is diminished.

A decent steering wheel, a reliable set of pedals

The 280-mm rim features a comfortable rubber grip, with a blue center band and good traction. It’s when it comes to ergonomics that our opinions differ. The steering wheel is a bit narrow, which sometimes makes you pinch it rather than grip it firmly, and the four directional sticks take up a lot of space, making it difficult to reach certain buttons in the heat of the action. The paddles are small and require firm pressure. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it feels like more effort went into the base than into the rim itself. The small white OLED screen, however, is invaluable for adjusting settings and reading telemetry without leaving your seat.

The included CSL pedal set is a pleasant surprise. It features an all-metal construction with plenty of steel, contactless Hall sensors on both pedals, and a brake equipped with a stiffer spring and a PU foam shock absorber. It doesn’t have the feel of a load cell, but it remains precise and, above all, comfortable over long periods without causing leg fatigue. And it’s upgradeable: you can add a load cell kit or a clutch kit later on.

Compatibility and scalability: the real selling point

A crucial point to check before buying: the Gran Turismo DD Pro is officially licensed for PS5 and PS4, and fully compatible with PC for the major games on the market. However, it does not work on Xbox. If you’re using a Microsoft console, this isn’t the right steering wheel for you. For PlayStation gamers, however, it’s one of the few native direct-drive steering wheels, and it opens up the entire Fanatec ecosystem: rims, the Boost kit, and upgradeable pedals. You’re buying a foundation that you can expand rather than a fixed package.

Setup is simple, with clearly labeled connections. However, the USB-C port is a bit loose and should be handled with care, and the simplified software mode hides useful settings until you switch to advanced mode.

Our verdict after testing

In our opinion, the Gran Turismo DD Pro remains the smartest way to experience direct drive on PlayStation. Its smoothness, quiet operation, and metal pedal set clearly set it apart from belt- or gear-driven steering wheels, and its upgradeability protects your investment. Keep in mind that the 5 Nm reaches its limits with heavy cars and on rough surfaces: the motivated intermediate driver or serious beginner looking to build a solid foundation will be delighted, while those seeking raw torque will immediately turn to the Boost Kit or the 8 Nm version.