Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2

Our rating : 8.9/10

Among the manufacturers of high-end sports cars, McLaren is certainly the brand that has the most fans among Sim-RacingThanks to his attention to detail. And as for the racing simulation accessories, it is the manufacturer Fanatecis synonymous with quality and has been leading the market for several years now.

So when these two great brands decided to team up to create a Sim-Racing wheel together, it could only be a good thing. After a first version of the CSL Elite McLaren GT3the two manufacturers are back in force with a second improved version that we have tested for you: the Fanatec CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel.

In this article, we will tell you everything we learned about this model from our test. We will list the following key featureswe’ll tell you what type of player which type of player player, what are its advantages and advantages and its disadvantages, how much it costs and where you can get it.

The characteristics of the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel

Fanatec’s CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 V2, more commonly known as Mclaren GT3 V2, is born from a partnership between the German manufacturer and the car brand McLaren, just like the previous version.

Here is a list of the main features of this model:

• Year of release: 2021
• The Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel is a full size replica of the McLaren 650S GT3 steering wheel and is officially licensed by McLaren Automotive Limited.
• The wheel is 30 cm in diameter with overmolded rubber grips (like the original GT3 wheel).
• The McLaren GT3 V2 is equipped with two aluminum analog paddles with reinforced honeycomb pattern, which support four switchable modes: clutch bite point mode (standard/advanced), clutch/handbrake mode, brake/accelerator mode (allows driving without connected pedals) and mapable axle mode.
• This Fanatec model has a 1″ OLED screen with 128 x 64 resolution in white color and an LED indicator for Xbox Mode.
• The CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel also features two 2-way toggle switches, two 12-way switches, a 7-way FunkySwitch™, two high bezel snap buttons with laser etched letters P and N, seven standard buttons with interchangeable button caps, as well as a setup menu button.
• This model is officially licensed for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S but it is also compatible with Windows, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 platforms (depending on the base used).
• The Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 is equipped with the QR1 Lite Wheel-Side system but this system can be upgraded to the QR1 Wheel-Side ClubSport system which is sold separately. It is compatible with the Fanatec CSL, ClubSport and Podium databases.
• Dimensions: 38 cm x 36 cm x 19 cm (L x W x H)
• Weight : 1,09 kg

For what type of person?

In our opinion, the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 wheel is very suitable for beginners who want to learn about Sim-Racing and are looking for a first wheel to buy.

This model can also delight the more regular players who are GT fans or simply enthusiasts of the McLaren car brand.

Moreover, if the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel has indeed been designed mainly for GT racing games, it is also very well suited for F1.

Its advantages

We were able to test the CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel from Fanatec and it allowed us to discover the advantages of this model which seems to be a great success.

Undeniably, one of the biggest assets of the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel is its beautiful design. Here we have a full size and detailed reproduction of the steering wheel used in the McLaren GT3 race cars. Fanatec didn’t take any liberty on the design of the wheel and that’s what finally makes all its charm. The overall shape, as well as the size of the switches, paddles and dials, is based on McLaren’s original CAD data. To have a luxury steering wheel like this at home, frankly it’s a blast!

We were also impressed by the many improvements that Fanatec has brought to this second version of the McLaren GT3. The gear shift mechanism has been completely revisited and offers us a magnetic resistance that gives a better feedback at the tactile level. The feeling is really realistic and even better than what a classic all-purpose car can offer. The double clutch paddles of the McLaren GT3 V2 on the Fanatec steering wheel are also a real favorite for us!

In terms of of ergonomicsThe Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 has many more advantages than its predecessor. Indeed, this wheel is equipped with a new OLED screen which displays the speed in normal running mode and the gear selected during gear change operations. This is a real bonus to help us improve our performance during the race. As are the new rotary selectors which also allow you to make fine adjustments during the game and thus have better control of your vehicle.

We also really appreciated the lightness of the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 model. We found that this lightness gave a certain liveliness to the wheel and allowed us to feel the power of force feedbackgiving us a very energetic racing experience.

Finally, we found the Fanatec CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 to offer good value for money. This model is not expensive if we take into account all the advantages it offers and compare it to other steering wheels in the current market. Very good improvements have been made to the electronics that guarantee better durability behind the wheel. In addition, it has the ability to be upgraded with a QR1 Wheel-Side ClubSport system and is compatible with the entire Fanatec ecosystem. So it should provide you with incredible gaming sessions for a long time to come.

Its disadvantages

Following our test of the CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel from Fanatec, we were also able to see what drawbacks this model might have.

First, we were surprised and quite disappointed to discover that from the point of view of aestheticsthe McLaren GT3 V2 from Fanatec had almost no almost no difference with the V1. Of course, this is an identical replica of the original McLaren 650S GT3 steering wheel, but we found it a bit unfortunate that Fanatec doesn’t take any kind of liberty here and doesn’t make any improvements on the design either.

Secondly, the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel comes with a quick-release adapter (QuickRelease) adapter that is not not designed for the high torque that direct-drive chainstays such as the Podium bases are capable of. If you have a Podium DD1 or DD2 base, the McLaren GT3 V2 wheel will work with these bases but you will need to invest in one of Fanatec’s ClubSport Aluminum Quick Release Adapters (QR1 Wheel-Side) to get full feedback power. You will have to add 99,95 € to your budget.

Where to get it and for how much?

The CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 V2 from Fanatec is available for sale for 199,95 € on the official Fanatec website.

The manufacturer Fanatec has chosen to sell its products exclusively on its website, so unfortunately you can not buy them new elsewhere.

The McLaren GT3 V2 model is certainly not very old, but you could still find it used on sites such as Le Bon Coin or Vinted. However, pay close attention to its condition before you buy it to avoid being cheated.

Our opinion on the McLaren GT3 V2 from Fanatec

After having tested by ourselves the Fanatec CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel, we can only come to the conclusion that with this model, the brand offers us a high-end steering wheel at a more than reasonable price. The proof is irrefutable, it is clear that this wheel has many more advantages than disadvantages!

The McLaren GT3 V2 from Fanatec certainly doesn’t look much different from the first version at first glance, but the German manufacturer has done everything right to make the necessary changes and give us a lot of features accessible under the fingers. The new integrated technologies and theergonomics have been redesigned for this second version and make it a truly a high-flying steering wheel.

The steering wheel Fanatec CSL Elite McLaren GT3 V2 is really an excellent choice if you’re looking for a model with high-end qualities, but without having to break the bank. We guarantee that you will not regret your investment!