The real racing wheel—install it on your simulator

This BMW M4 GT3 Podium is not a replica inspired by a racing wheel. It is the actual part itself, developed with BMW M Motorsport for the 2022 M4 GT3, capable of communicating via CAN bus with the real car. You can literally remove it from the racing seat and mount it on your Fanatec base. You can feel this direct connection from the very first time you hold it, and it gives the product an aura that few sim steering wheels achieve.

Forged carbon, zero flex

The shell is made of multi-layer forged carbon fiber (eight plies), with a unique pattern on each unit and a welcome anti-glare coating in the cockpit. With a diameter of 308 mm, the whole unit weighs only about 1,700 grams, including the quick-release mechanism—which is surprisingly light given its stiffness. And there’s plenty of stiffness: when mounted on a Direct Drive pedal set, there’s no play or torsion whatsoever. The grips are covered with firm rubber (Shore 60) that provides a secure grip, with or without gloves. The QR2 Pro quick-release lever, machined from an aerospace-grade aluminum billet, locks into place without the slightest wobble.

Controls Designed with the Driver in Mind

The control panel is compact yet easy to read: 14 buttons (12 on the front, 2 on the back), three backlit 12-position rotary selectors in the center, and two thumb-operated click-stop encoders. The buttons have a short travel and a crisp click, and are well spaced to prevent accidental presses. The encoders offer a pleasant resistance and a distinct click that you can identify without looking. On the back, the dual-action (push/pull) magnetic paddles respond instantly, while the two analog clutch paddles with Hall sensors allow for fine-tuning of the travel. The BMW logo serves as a directional pad—convenient, but a bit far from the thumbs once the game is underway. Two complaints: the rear buttons force an uncomfortable finger position, and the small one-inch OLED screen, while it displays telemetry well, feels outdated on a steering wheel of this caliber.

Once on the runway

It’s with the steering wheel in your hands that the magic happens. The first thing that stands out is the clarity of the force feedback: the shape, the stiffness, and the way you grip the rim make every micro-variation more distinct. On a robust Direct Drive platform, you can clearly feel the shift between grip and slip as you enter a turn, and the front end starting to lose traction signals itself unambiguously. In GT3, GT4, or modern prototypes, the feedback is direct, lively, and precise, conveying a wealth of detail. A pleasant surprise: even when reducing the torque by about 8 to 10 Nm, the feedback remains perfectly perceptible—a sign that it doesn’t necessarily require the most powerful setup to perform at its best. During long sessions, the weight balance and the grips’ grip help minimize fatigue.

Compatibility: What to Check

This is the classic pitfall you shouldn’t overlook. This steering wheel works on PC (Windows) and on PlayStation 4 and 5, provided it’s mounted on a Fanatec console-compatible base. However, it is not compatible with Xbox. As for bases, it’s compatible with the brand’s Direct Drive lineup, ranging from the Podium DD1 and DD2 to the ClubSport DD, as well as the CSL DD and Gran Turismo DD Pro. Before ordering, be sure to verify that your base is part of the Fanatec ecosystem and supports your target platform.