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Gran Turismo is launching its 7th entry, and fans of the series should be excited as the game is gearing up to be the best as of yet. If you’re still preparing to gear up for Sony’s racing simulation game, now is the best time to get the best steering wheel to enjoy what the next generation of consoles has to offer. Buckle up!
Gran Turismo DD Pro
Check Price and More Details on Fanatec
The Gran Turismo DD Pro racing wheel is Fanatec’s love letter to Sony’s latest racing sim Gran Turismo 7. This gaming peripheral is heralded as the official Direct Drive wheel for the game that combines the PS5’s incredible performance with Fanatec’s Direct Drive technology. The Gran Turismo DD Pro is directly connected to the motor shaft without any gears or belts giving you the ultimate feedback when it comes to the gameplay experience.
There’s a white OLED display as well as diffused RevLED strips on the wheel itself to offer helpful visual information while driving. In addition, a unique array of four 5-way directional sticks sits alongside the familiar PlayStation button inputs to help you navigate as you play. It’s the best choice for hardcore sim racing enthusiasts and professional sim racers while being available now to a wider audience.
Gran Turismo DD Pro (8 Nm)
The Gran Turismo DD Pro (8 Nm) has the exact same features and specifications as the GT DD Pro with the primary difference of having a Boost Kit 180 to unlock the full potential of the steering wheel. The boost kit provides high levels of torque that can sustain itself without the need for active cooling so you can play for longer hours with double the fun. It’s fitted with a CNC-machined aluminum casing to act as a structural chassis as well as a heatsink for optimal responsiveness and acceleration.
This steering wheel is specifically designed for Gran Turismo and is equipped with PlayStation button inputs so you can familiarize yourself right away. The bundled pedal set is made from solid steel with precise and durable Hall sensors to enhance your confidence and improve your overall lap times.
CSL Steering Wheel BMW
The CSL Steering Wheel BMW has an eye-catching and multi-purpose design with the BMW logo stretched across the front face and rim. It has a 300 mm diameter and is suitable for a lot of vehicle types. The wheel rim is rubberized for grip and durability and is fitted with an integrated 3-digit LED positioned at the top of the rim to make important info visible even while driving.
The CSL BMW is an affordable steering wheel in Fanatec’s line up but you’ll need to invest with a PlayStation-licensed wheelbase to make this peripheral compatible with Gran Turismo.
CSL Steering Wheel 320
If you want a steering wheel with a minimalistic feel then the CSL 320 is the one for you. This fully rounded wheel is fitted with smooth leather and has ergonomic grips, with light grey stitching and stripe. It’s a bundle of the CSL Universal Hub and the ClubSport Wheel Rim 320 that’s packed with button islands and plenty of inputs without hampering your gameplay experience. Like the CSL BMW, this steering wheel needs a PlayStation-licensed wheelbase to make it compatible with Gran Turismo.
Podium Steering Wheel Classic 2
The Podium Classic 2 is perfect for sim racers that want a vintage and historic feeling of driving a classic car when sitting at their gaming cockpit. The wheel is made from polished and anodized aluminum fitted with genuine leather with a smooth finish which is ideal for driving the classics available in Gran Turismo. The Classic 2 doesn’t have any button clusters and shifter modules showcasing the wheel in its purest form so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the graphics as you drive.
ClubSport Steering Wheel Drift V2
The ClubSport Drift V2 is not just for drifting and Rally, it also works quite well for fans of the Gran Turismo series of racing sim games. Like the Podium Classic 2, it’s made from brushed and anodized aluminum and has a total diameter of 320 mm, like in a real race car. It’s equipped with magnetic shifter paddles, adjustable button clusters, and a FunkySwitch to provide you with all the tools needed to win the race. This product is a bundle of the ClubSport Universal Hub V2 and the ClubSport Wheel Rim Drift.
ClubSport Steering Wheel Porsche 911 GT3 Leather
Last on our list of the best steering wheels you can buy right now for Gran Turismo is the Porsche 911 GT3 Leather. It bears the official Porsche logo and resembles the actual CAD data built with automotive-grade quality in mind. There’s a customizable OLED display that shows important information as you race as well as RGB LEDs and within the wheel rim that has instant access to Force Feedback adjustments as you need it. This steering wheel is one of the pricier Fanatec models but if you’re going to play Gran Turismo for long hours, then investing in a high-quality steering wheel is a no-brainer.
Buying Guide
Price
If you’re willing to spend extra, the Gran Turismo DD Pro or the DD Pro 8 Nm is definitely worth the price. It uses the latest Direct Drive Force Feedback effects to the fullest so you get to experience the smoothest and most dynamic sensations when playing Gran Turismo. Otherwise, getting a steering wheel at a fixed budget is still miles better than playing with a controller.
Compatibility
Getting an officially licensed PlayStation wheel is recommended to get the best out of your gameplay. You can still use steering wheels from other platforms but you’ll have to cough up a PlayStation licensed wheelbase in order for it to work on Sony’s console. Even then, the functionalities may be limited so it’s best to get a steering wheel that’s fully compatible with PS4 and PS5 for you to have access to all its functionalities.
Force Feedback Effects
The three commonly used Force Feedback effects by a lot of manufacturers are gear-driven, belt-driven, and direct-driven effects. The overall value of the steering wheel also depends on the type of Force Feedback used as it is one of the factors that dictate the price. Typically, you’ll be able to snag a cheap steering wheel that uses gear-driven force feedback. Belt-driven wheels meanwhile are the most popular but the best among the three are steering wheels that utilize Direct Drive. Being the best means they’re also the most expensive so be prepared to spend more if you want the best gaming experience.
Design
To get the most out of your Gran Turismo gaming experience, playing with a steering wheel that has the exact same dimensions as an actual race car wheel is essential if you want to have an authentic racing moment. A reduction in wheel size may not be noticeable at first glance but it does make a difference in your in-game performance. Also, take notice of the maximum wheel-to-wheel degrees of rotation you’re racing wheel is capable of doing. As a general rule, the higher degrees of rotation, the better as you’ll have more freedom to do drifts and turns.
FAQs
Is Gran Turismo easier when playing with a steering wheel?
Playing with a controller or a steering wheel should yield the same fun factor as Gran Turismo is optimized for everyone to enjoy. However, playing with a dedicated steering wheel should yield sim racers a distinct advantage due to the addition of Force Feedback. This effect lets you have a better response time during gameplay to make you react faster as compared to playing with a regular controller.
What is Force Feedback?
Force Feedback effects is a technique utilized by a lot of gaming wheel manufacturers to simulate the feelings of driving a real race car while at the comforts of your own home. It replicates what’s happening on your monitor or TV screen during gameplay and translates it to your peripheral so you feel the conditions in the game as you would in real life.
