In the small world of high-end Fanatec steering wheels, the Podium Advanced Paddle Module is clearly one of those accessories that raises an eyebrow. It's "just" a paddle module, but it's got a precise purpose: to transform a steering wheel into a more precise, more responsive steering tool, closer to a modern racing wheel. Basically, to move from simple plastic clicks to serious controls, for gear changes as well as clutch and additional functions.

This module is especially aimed at those who already ride with a Fanatec steering wheel from the Podium or ClubSport range, and want to take their sensations and control up a notch. It promises ultra-clean magnetic paddles, an analog double clutch for starts, and two additional analog paddles to manage even more on-track functions.

For my part, I looked at three things in particular: build quality (does this justify the premium positioning?), comfort of use in full race mode, and the real gain in feel over the original Fanatec paddles. The idea is simple: does this module really change the way you interact with the car, or is it a luxury gadget for setup geeks?

Design & manufacture of the Fanatec Podium Advanced Paddle Module

In hand, the Podium Advanced Paddle Module immediately feels like a racing car part. The frame is metal, with cleanly machined plates, no perceptible play, no awkward flexibility. The carbon-fiber paddles themselves give a very pleasant sensation of rigid lightness: they don't sound hollow, they don't vibrate, and they don't bend when pulled hard. It feels like it's been designed to withstand thousands and thousands of actions without flinching.

The magnetic contacts of the main paddles (shift) are clearly the heart of the product. The click is crisp, clean and well-defined, with a clear breaking point. You don't wait for it to return, it bounces back almost instantaneously. To the ear, it clicks like a real GT or modern single-seater paddle. The feeling is addictive: you change gear like you flip a precision switch.

The secondary, analog paddles have a longer, smoother stroke, with well-managed feedback. It's immediately clear that they're not designed for on/off, but for modulation: clutch, analog handbrake management, engine braking, or even hybrid functions on certain games. The resistance is sufficient for modulation, without tiring the hand.

What's most surprising is the almost total absence of play throughout the module. Everything is tight, aligned and precise. It doesn't feel like a cobbled-together "mod", but truly a premium factory block. You can also feel the overall density of the module when mounted on a steering wheel, which reinforces the serious side of the product.

On the other hand, this level of quality comes at a cost: the module is relatively heavy and visually busy. On a small steering wheel, it can look a little "massive", and the hands sometimes have to adapt to the position of the various paddles. The visible screws and highly mechanical appearance may also seem a little "techno" for those who like a more streamlined look.

Compared to the original ClubSport or CSL steering wheels, we're clearly in a different league. It's stiffer, more precise, more premium in every sense. Compared to some 3D-printed aftermarket paddles or basic aluminum paddles, the Podium Advanced Paddle Module is a factory product, consistent with the high-end Fanatec ecosystem.

Settings, customization & compatibility

The module is mounted directly on the back of compatible Fanatec steering wheels (including Podium and many ClubSport steering wheels). Integration is clean: once attached, the module forms a single unit with the wheel, with no visible cables to deal with. This is an important point, especially if you regularly switch from sim to storage.

On the physical side, the position of the paddles can be adjusted over a certain range, helping to adapt the grip to the size of the hands or the shape of the steering wheel. It's not infinite, but it's enough to correct obvious discomfort. You can also play a little on sensation via the magnetic feel and the way you grip the paddles, even if it's not an adjustable-hardness system like on some very exotic products.

The real customization possibilities come via the Fanatec software (via PC), with configuration of the analog paddles and dual clutch. For example, you can :

- configure the lower paddles in dual clutch mode (bites point), for ultra-clean race starts;
- use them as two independent analog axes (clutch + handbrake, or other functions depending on the set);
- adjust the dead centers and the useful zone to get a response consistent with the way you press the pallets.

The learning curve is average: it's not complicated, but you need a bit of time to get the slipping point of the double clutch right, to test it in play, to adjust it, and above all to get used to using it in racing conditions. Once you've done that, it becomes very natural.

On the PC, of course, this is where all functions are at their best, with extensive compatibility and analog axis mapping options. On consoles, everything depends on the game and the steering wheel used, but the essentials remain functional, especially for the shift paddles and dual clutch on compatible titles. Integration into the Fanatec ecosystem is logical: it's an upgrade designed for those who already have an advanced setup (Direct Drive base, high-end steering wheel, rigid cockpit) and want to fine-tune their driving interface.

In terms of scalability, it's a sound investment if you're planning to stay with Fanatec for the long term. It's not an entry point, it's clearly a premium brick for an already serious setup.

Fanatec Podium Advanced Paddle Module: sensations at stake

It's on the track that this module really justifies its existence. On magnetic main shifters, the difference with conventional mechanical shifters is felt from the very first laps: the feedback is immediate, the timing seems more natural, and there's no question about the reliability of the gear change. When you pull the lever, it shifts, and you feel it. Period.

In a series of bends, with downshifts and upshifts, this crisp, clean feedback gives a very direct impression of control. You instinctively match your shifting rhythms to the sound of the engine and the click of the paddles. You'll find yourself shifting more aggressively, because the ergonomics follow without flinching. It encourages more committed driving.

In tight bends, especially in GT or prototype racing, the ability to use the lower paddles as a double clutch makes a real difference at the start. You can hold both down, release one paddle at a green light and dose the slip with the other. Start-up is cleaner and more repeatable. You stop praying not to stall or spin out of control: it's all at your fingertips.

On grip reading, it's not a product that adds force feedback like a Direct Drive base, but it clarifies the interface between you and the car. The moment when you downshift hard on corner entry, when you almost block the rear end, becomes clearer. You know exactly whether you've engaged the right gear, you can feel the stall coming via the steering wheel, and the brain doesn't waste a split second wondering whether the shift has gone through. It's this kind of detail that frees up mental bandwidth.

On vibrators, especially in aggressive chicanes, the hands move a lot on the steering wheel. Misplaced or too soft paddles can become a nuisance, or even be engaged by mistake. With this module, the rigidity of the assembly and the pronounced click prevent most unintentional pressure. Control is kept very clean, even when the car hits the curbs hard. Fingers find the paddles without searching, which is crucial when the going gets rough.

Over long sessions, consistency is a real strength. The magnetic feedback doesn't weaken, the sensation doesn't change with heat or duration, and the fingers don't tire as long as you don't exaggerate. This is clearly a module designed for long races, where the repeatability of actions becomes more important than the "wow effect" of the first few minutes.

When making quick corrections, especially in light drift or when the rear end goes off a bit, it's great to be able to keep your fingers under tension on the paddles while counter-steering hard. The module doesn't give the impression of flex sometimes found on more basic paddles. You can continue to upshift and downshift at the heart of the correction, without the mechanics struggling to keep up.

Compared to a setup with the original ClubSport or CSL steering wheel paddles, the gain is clearly in the sharpness of actions and mental comfort. It's not an absolute revolution in terms of overnight lap times, but you can feel that every shift is more reliable, more satisfying, more "racing". Compared to some even more extreme high-end custom modules, the Podium Advanced Paddle Module maintains an interesting balance: professional, precise, yet usable on a daily basis without being brutal.

Overall immersion takes it up a notch: you get the impression of having a complete steering wheel, where every control has been thought out with driving in mind, and not just to "have a palette that clicks". This is the kind of detail that turns your setup from a "good steering wheel" to a "serious driving instrument".

Who's it for? Strengths & weaknesses

The Podium Advanced Paddle Module is designed for intermediate to advanced riders. If you're just starting out in sim racing with an entry-level steering wheel, this isn't the first upgrade to consider. On the other hand, if you're already racing regularly, have a serious Fanatec base (belt or Direct Drive) and a decent cockpit, the module becomes much more coherent. It will also clearly appeal to PC gamers, who will be able to exploit the full range of analog and dual-clutch functions in as many titles as possible.

What we particularly appreciate is the overall build quality, truly on a premium setup level. The magnetic clicks on the main paddles give a feeling of precision and sturdiness that's very reassuring in intensive use. The lower analog paddles also open up real control possibilities, notably for the clutch at the start, but also for fine functions such as the handbrake or the management of certain systems. Last but not least, integration into the Fanatec ecosystem is clean: it's plug and play in the Podium/ClubSport universe, with no DIY and no patchwork printing.

But there are limits. The price clearly positions this module as an investment, and not simply as a cosmetic accessory. For the occasional player, the perceived value may not be obvious, especially if the original paddles are already sufficient. Ergonomics also take a little getting used to: depending on the size of your hands and the shape of your steering wheel, reaching all the paddles without discomfort may require one or two adjustments, or even a few concessions. Last but not least, the module's maximum benefit is to be found in serious simulations and regular use: on more arcade games or "sofa" use, the module's real contribution will logically be less marked.

In terms of value for money, it's in line with the logic of a premium setup: it's not essential for driving fast, but it's clearly a qualitative improvement that makes sense when you spend a lot of time on the virtual track and want every control to be on a par with the rest of the equipment.

Fanatec Podium Advanced Paddle Module verdict

The Fanatec Podium Advanced Paddle Module doesn't turn your steering wheel into anything other than a steering wheel, but it does change the way you interact with the car. It replaces proper controls with ones that make you want to use them, turn after turn. It's an upgrade that doesn't look like a new cockpit from a distance, but you feel it with every gear change and every race start.

On the market, this is clearly a premium product, designed to accompany the brand's top-of-the-range bases and most serious steering wheels. It's neither a gadget accessory, nor a universal solution for all sim racers. It's a precision module for those who already know what they want in terms of feel and control.

I'd recommend it to serious sim racers (GT, endurance, single-seater, rally) already equipped with Fanatec, who want to fine-tune their interface without necessarily changing their base or steering wheel. For complete beginners or occasional console gamers, on the other hand, the investment may seem disproportionate to the perceived gain.

If you're looking to make your Fanatec steering wheel sharper, more precise, more "racing" in every gear change and every start, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.