Fanatec WRC

Our rating : 9.3/10

When we say Fanatec is a brand of sim-racing peripherals that touches on everything, we mean it. Its flywheel catalog includes over forty models, each more premium than the last. Between official wheel licenses and some in-house designs, it’s a veritable paradise for riders looking for products for their setup.

The brand is not only renowned for having a vast catalog of sim-racing peripherals, but also offers a high level of customization for racers thanks to peripherals and products that are highly compatible with each other. At Fanatecyou can have an entry-level steering wheel (CSL), with a mid-range paddle/button module (ClubSport), all attached to a high-end base (Podium), and this is the real strength of the sim-racing peripherals manufacturer.

Among the more than 40 steering wheels available in the Fanatec catalog, we have one that represents the perfect choice for rally fans: the CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRCor just CSL WRC. This steering wheel is part of Fanatec’s entry-level range, but will make the most premium steering wheels from other sim-racing peripheral manufacturers pale in comparison. In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to this steering wheel, tell you about its strengths and weaknesses, and give you my opinion on it.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Official WRC licensed steering wheel
• 30 cm diameter wheel
• Aluminum frame
• Alcantara trim with orange stitching
• Good-sized metal pallets at rear
• Weight 1.09 kg in standard configuration with QR1 Lite
• Compatible with Xbox, PC and Playstation
• Interchangeable buttons

Design

Although design is a subjective element and I’m not a big fan of bright colors, I have to admit that the CSL WRC is a rather beautiful steering wheel. On this wheel, you have alcantara all around with orange stitching to great effect, and this is amplified by the orange paddles at the rear. It really gives a very specific effect to the rally, I think.

In the middle, there’s not much to say apart from the Fanatec logo at the top of the wheel, the WRC logo in the middle and a tire mark at the bottom. All three logos are in white, contrasting with the anodized aluminum of the wheel. It’s still beautiful overall and will go perfectly with any setup.

Customized assembly

Visit CSL WRC uses Fanatec’s not-at-all-popular plastic QR1 Lite for the simple reason that this QR induces play in the center of the wheel, in addition to disconnections if you couple this flywheel to medium-power bases (over 5 nm torque).

Apart from this major negative point, which is the only drawback of this steering wheel, you can “technically” attach this steering wheel to any base sold by Fanatec, whether it’s the CSL DD to the Podium DDas well as the older ClubSport. Unsurprisingly, fitting the steering wheel to the base is very easy: you turn the locking pin to one side (in the direction of the open padlock), insert the steering wheel into the base, paying careful attention to the pins, and lock the pin. Here we are.

Manufacturing and finishing

For the CSL WRCFanatec used anodized aluminum for the structure, alcantara for the contours and metal for the pallets. These materials are premium, very premium, especially on an entry-level steering wheel (CSL). Every part of the steering wheel is meticulously finished.

Orange-colored stitching is found all around the steering wheel, which not only gives a nice effect to the wheel, but also helps the alcantara to stay in place. What’s more, the material is quality, not the cheap stuff found on some of Fanatec’s competitors. It’s beautiful to look at and excellent to touch. I love it.

Having inspected the steering wheel thoroughly, I didn’t notice any manufacturing defects, burrs or anything else. Once again, Fanatec offers us a product of excellent quality, very well finished and, above all, solid. The aluminum structure gives it strength, rigidity and longevity. The CSL WRC is not a steering wheel you’re going to blow up in a week, believe me. Well, that doesn’t necessarily apply to the QR1 Lite, especially if you’re using a Podium DD2 and its 25 nm of torque.

Handling the steering wheel

With its 30 cm diameter, the CSL WRC is a good size, as found on most of today’s cars. The steering wheel isn’t big, and feels great in the hand. The wheel is completely round, and flat-bottomed fans may not appreciate this. But from memory, all WRC car steering wheels are round, and this is an official replica, so…

Ergonomics are excellent. All buttons, which are interchangeable by the way, are positioned on either side of the steering wheel, easily accessible by your fingers. You can drive quietly on special stages and reach all the car’s controls without taking your hands off the wheel.

What’s more, there’s a RevLED and a small LED display at the top center of the steering wheel, so you can get useful info about the vehicle you’re driving, without having to look too hard on the screen in front of you. And last but not least, the rear paddles are a good size and made of metal, so they’re easy to reach even with your fingers.

Sensations during play

In game, and on virtually every simus I’ve tried, the CSL WRC is an extremely responsive flywheel, especially when paired with an 8 nm base (CSL DD) and metal QR1. Given that the steering wheel is very light, weighing just 1.1 kg in its standard configuration, you’ll enjoy sim-racing on titles such as Dirt, WRCand rallying in general. Makes sense to me, since it’s an officially licensed WRC steering wheel. However, if you opt for the metal QR1, and I strongly advise you to do so if you’re considering a base larger than 5 nm, the steering wheel will be heavier.

As for the controls, as mentioned above, they are easily accessible without your hands leaving the steering wheel. The palettes click well and are a good size. However, I would have liked to have at least 4, but unfortunately that’s optional…

As for the QR1 Lite, well, my goodness, there’s a lot to play for on this one, and recurrent disconnections if you go all out with it. It’s an inherent evil of this QR, and has been since its birth. There’s nothing we can do about it, except perhaps upgrade to the metal QR1 for an extra €100. But CSL WRC is an entry-level steering wheel, and understandably so.

Compatibility

In terms of compatibility, this steering wheel is no exception to the Fanatec rule: it works with all the bases and products from the German manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals. For the basics, you have the CSL DD (5 and 8 nm), the ClubSport Wheel Baseand CSL Elite Wheel Base and the Podium DD. It’s a real pleasure to see an entry-level steering wheel running on the German manufacturer’s entire catalog of bases.

In terms of platforms, the CSL WRC is compatible with PS5 and PS4, Xbox One and Series X/S, and PC of course. However, not all the features of this steering wheel may work on consoles for different reasons (bases, sim-racing titles, etc.).

Value for money

Priced at €199.95, the CSL WRC is a steering wheel with excellent value for money. Between the quality materials, notably aluminum and alcantara, and the rally car-inspired design, I find this steering wheel a must-have for its price range. Its aluminum structure gives it solidity and sturdiness in all circumstances. For this price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a solid, high-quality, customizable steering wheel.

My verdict

As far as I’m concerned, the Fanatec CSL WRC is an excellent steering wheel for fans of rallying and round wheels in general. The steering wheel is solid, the ergonomics excellent and the materials premium. Just take the metal QR and you’ll have the perfect steering wheel for any sim-racing setup. I validate this wheel 100%.