Fanatec is getting closer to release their ClubSport Wheel range that will come with interchangeable wheel rims among plenty of other features.

Following the pricing announcement of the base and the first two rims (the BMW GT2 & Formula rims), Fanatec is now asking the community for ideas regarding future wheel rims.

So far, the following rims are being planned:

• BMW GT2
• FORMULA
• NASCAR
• Classic (wood)
• Classic F1
• F1 licensed
• F1 generic
• LMP1
• Drift
• Rallye
• Porsche GT
• Simrace special (not realistic but optimized for performance)

Fanatec has confirmed the retail prices for their much-anticipated ClubSport Wheel Series that will give sim racers access to professional-grade sim racing hardware.

The series consists of the ClubSport Wheel base that is already used on the critically-acclaimed CSR Elite wheel, the base can be combined with various wheel rims, the first of which are the Formula rim and the BMW-licensed GT2 rim.

I have just left my email address at the mysterious webpage having read Rob's post on Virtualr.  Lets see what we get back.   Bingo the following turned up promptly.

"Thank you for signing up for Automaniax!

We will shortly release the closed BETA-Version of automaniax.com (about end of April) , which provides a new race experience online. 

With real cars, real tracks,and real motorsports. And that for free. We would be happy, if you take part in this community and race experience.

We will release more details to you shortly before the release, so that you are one of the first who can check out this experience.

Hopefully we see soon on automaniax.com

Thank you very much, The Automaniax Team "

A new driving simulation is always welcome.  Porsche being part of the production of the new driving sim (by Automaniax) is exciting.  Porsche has not licensed there car designs to any Sim to date except via Ruf.  If Porsche have a hand in the engineering it will be superb.  (Ed: Ok I have owned 3 Porsches amongst other Marquees.)   Porsche has a huge following with there iconic 911 style, not to mention a beautiful beast like the Carrera GT.  (I can tell from personal experience that car is mind blowing! )   The Porsche driver will appreciate and get involved in the virtually real driving world I am sure.  My current Visionracer VR3 is Fanatec GT3 and Clubsport pedal based as I've been driving Forza. 

Sonac has tackled the review of the next Fanatec product.

This time, he’ll takes a look at the new and more sturdy Fanatec CSR Shifter set that has been introduced with the CSR wheel. The set consists of a sequential shifter and a 6+1 shifter.

Sonac from the Fanatec Wheel fan site has released his video review of Fanatec’s load cell brake powered CSR Elite pedal set.

His extensive video review doesn’t just review the pedals, he also compares them to two other popular models – It’s bigger brother, the Clubsport pedals as well as the Logitech G25 pedal set.

Fanatec has shipped out the first examples of their brand new CSR Elite Wheel to community testers and the first batch of reviews is now becoming available.

Below are the first to reviews by sonic, UKOGjonboy & kangal333, showing off the brand new wheel in full detail. Furthermore, Amar212 has released a very extensive written review of the wheel over at GTPlanet.

The CSR Elite is Fanatec’s first wheel that uses the brand-new developed base that will also power the upcoming Clubsport wheel base that is aimed at PC users.

Here is part of a recent an interview with Thomas of a Fanatec.

Here’s some additional specs and features of the CSR.

• Authentic motorsport inspired design with premium aluminum wheel and Alcantara grip.
• Force Feedback is handled by a Powerful Mabuchi RS550 Motor that’s used in RC cars.
• Additional 2 force feedback actuators are used to simulate motor or ABS vibrations .
• 90° to 900° of rotation or turning freedom.
• Silent belt drive and high resolution sensors deliver ultra realistic steering feel with pin point accuracy.
• Also compatible with the Playstation 3 and PC.
• Tuning functions with LED display that allows players to adjust the turning angle (90° to 900° of steering rotation), force feedback, vibration, sensitivity, with the ability to save up to five presets.
• Five “Drift mode” adjustments to allow quicker turning ratio.
• Compatible with all Fanatec pedals, shifter sets, wheel stands, and cockpits

The CSR Elite as mentioned, is a completely new design. Here are some of the new features and specs.
• Wheel base fully made of metal with a carbon fiber and Alcantara wheel rim
• DirectSensor™ technology: The sensor is mounted directly on the steering axis to avoid interference and performance issues that are inherent in belt and gear drives that have motor mounted sensor systems.
• Strong and fast 120W dual force feedback motors plus 2 vibration motors in the wheel rim
• Large silent fans are installed to provide ample cooling
• Big shifter paddles made of metal provide a solid shifting experience

Even though the Elite version does not come with the quick-release mechanism of the ClubSport base, Thomas shows off that Elite owners will still be able to replace the wheel rim, albeit with a little less comfort and choice of rims involved.

The video also includes some new footage of the custom-made Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro wheel that was shown off at the VW & Audi Wörthersee meeting back in June, the first public appearance of the ClubSport Wheel base.