McLaren Artura Ultimate-USB Ascher: the GT steering wheel that does it all

Ascher's McLaren Artura Ultimate-USB is clearly positioned as a high-end steering wheel for demanding GT and endurance-oriented sim racers. We're talking about a product designed for the PC, with a focus on build quality, precision and ergonomics rather than bright gadgets or show-offs.

This steering wheel appeals because it blends two worlds: the seriousness of a sim racing manufacturer renowned for its competitive products, and the officially licensed design of a real modern racing car. On paper, it promises clean control, well-placed buttons, good readability in action and direct USB compatibility with most Direct Drive bases on the market.

My angle for this test is simple: does this steering wheel really help you drive better, more consistently and more comfortably over an entire stint, or is it just a nice McLaren-badged collector's item? Do the ergonomics, the quality of the controls and the feel in hand justify the investment, especially in the face of other GT steering wheels already well established?

Design and manufacturing

In hand, the McLaren Artura Ultimate-USB gives an instant impression of seriousness. The metal faceplate inspires confidence, the controls are well integrated, and nothing sounds hollow or "toy-like". The overall density is controlled: heavy enough to give a quality feel, but without becoming tiresome on a powerful base.

The handles are clearly oriented towards modern GT: ergonomic, with a firm grip that won't slip, even when wearing gloves. The shape sits comfortably in the hands, with the thumbs resting naturally on the rotaries and most important buttons. You can feel that the ergonomics have been designed for the attack, not to look good on a shelf.

Buttons click cleanly and precisely, neither too hard nor too soft. The rotors have well-marked notches, making them easy to manipulate without taking your eyes off the track. The rear shift paddles are firm, with a satisfying mechanical feel that reinforces the impression of riding something serious. This is a "work tool", not a decorative accessory.

What's surprising is the balance between the very "official" McLaren look and Ascher's highly functional approach. Nothing protrudes, no excessive play, no perceptible flex on the front. There's a real sense of rigidity, including in areas that are constantly in use, such as the paddles.

Where some may be a little disappointed is in the "visual madness": no LED overkill everywhere, no massive screen integrated like a modern LMP cockpit. The design is clean, performance-oriented, but more sober than some of the very "bling" competitors. Compared with other premium GT wheels, we're clearly at the top of the range in terms of material sensations, with overall packaging that's more "serious sim racer" than "YouTube showroom".

Settings, customization and compatibility

The McLaren Artura Ultimate-USB Ascher relies on a direct USB connection, which makes things a lot simpler. Just plug it in, configure it in your base software and games, and off you go. On the PC, recognition of buttons and rotors is straightforward in major sims. It's the most flexible option if you're changing base or using several setups.

Customization comes down to the mapping of controls and the way you organize your workflow on the track. The rotary knobs are perfect for managing traction control, ABS, brake bias or engine modes. The main buttons fit comfortably under the thumbs for DRS, headlights, pit request or critical endurance functions. You can really adapt the layout to your personal habits.

There are no ultra-complex on-board menus or screens with internal pages to configure for hours on end. The difficulty is not technical but ergonomic: choosing which settings to put where, and finding a logic that your brain will retain in the midst of battle. The learning curve depends more on your rigor than on the steering wheel itself.

In terms of compatibility, this steering wheel is clearly designed for the PC. Using USB, it can communicate with a wide range of Direct Drive chainstays, as long as you can attach a third-party steering wheel to your column. It integrates easily into an existing ecosystem: load cell crankset, sequential shifter, handbrake, rigid cockpit. It's a product that doesn't lock you into a specific brand.

As far as scalability is concerned, it's not an "entry point", but rather a product that you keep as you upgrade the rest of the setup. You could very well start with a modest DD base and this steering wheel, then move on to a more powerful base later: the steering wheel will follow without flinching. It's a stable element around which to build a complete GT / endurance setup.

Sensations in play

Where the Artura Ultimate-USB really comes into its own is on the track, particularly on modern GT3, GTE or hypercars. You can quickly feel that it's been designed for precision and consistency.

The steering wheel's shape, grip and rigidity offer excellent control during cornering. On entry, you place the car very cleanly, with no parasitic float in your hands. Micro-corrections are made very naturally with the fingertips. On prolonged lean, the fact that the steering wheel doesn't deform gives a feeling of continuity in the FFB, which helps to control grip.

Grip is read via the Direct Drive base + steering wheel stiffness combo. The steering wheel itself filters out virtually nothing. The progressive loss of grip, the beginnings of slippage, the moments when the rear axle starts to shed weight - everything is clearly visible. You quickly understand when you're at the limit and in which direction things are heading. That's where this type of steering wheel changes the game: you no longer interpret the FFB, you feel it.

On the vibrators, the rigid structure reflects details well. You can feel the "flat" vibrators and the more aggressive ones, the track connections, the slightly rough edges. Nothing seems to be swallowed up by the steering wheel. On a less powerful base, this may give a slightly drier feel, but on a properly tuned DD base, it becomes a mine of information. You know exactly where the wheels are going.

When it comes to quick corrections, ergonomics play a major role. The palettes fall perfectly under your fingers as you glide along, without you having to move your hands. Critical buttons remain accessible even at an angle. When the car stalls, you can link countersteer + downshift + TC management without having to reach for the steering wheel. This kind of detail saves precious seconds... and walls.

Over long sessions, the grips and overall weight remain comfortable. No excessive forearm fatigue due to the weight of the steering wheel, provided your base force settings are reasonable. The texture of the grips holds up well, even over several hours, with or without gloves. You don't fight with the wheel, you work with it.

Compared with a more entry-level steering wheel, the main difference lies in the clarity of feel and confidence. Everything feels cleaner, more stable and easier to read. You dare to go for more limits, you dose late braking better, you exploit the base's potential more fully. On the other hand, compared to some even more extreme or prototype-oriented steering wheels, the Artura Ultimate-USB remains a little more versatile and less radical, making it comfortable for regular use, even in GT-type disciplines.

In terms of immersion, the official McLaren design + serious mechanical feel combo works very well. You get the impression of being in a modern racing environment, without going overboard. It's clean, efficient and credible. You're driving, period. And that's exactly what you'd expect from a steering wheel in this segment.

Who's it for? What we like / don't like

This steering wheel is aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced sim racers, already equipped with a decent cockpit and at least an "entry-level" Direct Drive-type base. If you play mainly on PC, and drive mostly GT, GTE, hypercars or modern single-seaters with GT-style steering wheels, it ticks a lot of boxes. For a total beginner, the investment may seem high, but for someone who wants to build up a lasting setup, it's a coherent choice.

What I particularly appreciate is the overall build quality. Nothing looks cheap, everything exudes seriousness and longevity. Secondly, on-track ergonomics are truly excellent: the important controls are well placed, the rotaries can be used in the middle of a bend without missing a beat, and the paddles give mechanical pleasure to every gear change. Finally, the steering wheel's neutrality with respect to the base makes it a highly transparent tool: it transmits what the base sends, without adding any undesirable artifice, and that's invaluable for performance.

On the other hand, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. The clearly PC-oriented positioning and USB approach may limit interest for some users who are very console-centric or have closed ecosystems. The sober design, with no massive integrated screen or avalanche of LEDs, may seem a little "minimalist" to those who like highly technical cockpits visually. And the investment remains substantial: you're paying for a premium product, aimed above all at those who intend to spend long hours sim racing and who already have a sufficiently serious setup to make the most of its full potential.

In terms of perceived value, it all depends on your level of commitment. For an occasional player who rides twice a month, it's clearly too ambitious. For an assiduous sim racer who spends time fine-tuning his lap times, who rides in leagues or who aims for regularity, it's an investment that makes sense, because it brings comfort, consistency and real reliability of use.

Verdict

The McLaren Artura Ultimate-USB Ascher brings a real leap in quality to a GT/endurance-oriented setup. It doesn't transform the Direct Drive base, but it clearly liberates it: the rigidity, precision of the controls and overall ergonomics allow the base to express its full potential, especially on serious simulations. We gain in confidence, readability of the car's reactions and comfort over time.

On the market, it is unambiguously positioned in the premium segment, not at the inaccessible top, but clearly above the "mid-range" mass-market steering wheels. It's an enthusiast's product, designed for the long term, which fits perfectly into an already structured setup.

I'd recommend it to PC sim racers, equipped or in the process of being equipped with Direct Drive, who drive mainly GT and want a solid, reliable steering wheel without unnecessary compromises. For a very console-oriented gamer, or someone looking for a visually spectacular product with screens everywhere, it won't be the best choice.

If you're looking for a GT steering wheel that's serious, precise, pleasant over time and capable of accompanying a Direct Drive base for years to come, this McLaren Artura Ultimate-USB Ascher can clearly make the difference in your setup.