Moza R12

Our rating: 9.6/10

The sim-racing market is highly competitive, especially with the multitude of players who have been in the game for several years. The simplest example is undoubtedly the brands Fanatec , Logitech and Thrustmaster who have been in the sim-racing business for over 20 years. But we do have some young actors who have quickly made a name for themselves, as is the case with Moza Racing .

In the space of just over 2 years, the Chinese manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals has offered us 6 Direct Drive bases of various powers, including one compatible with Xbox, with a rather complete ecosystem. I have to admit that it’s really impressive to get so many bases out, with all the rest that goes with them.

Among the bases offered by Moza Racing, we have the R12 which develops, as its name suggests, 12 nm of maximum torque. This device is wisely positioned between the R9 and R16 bases to offer a better feel than the “entry-level”, because the R5 is clearly aimed at a public new to sim-racing.

In what follows, I’ll introduce you to the R12, discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and give you my thoughts on it.

Main and technical characteristics of the base

• Direct Drive base with 12 nm max. torque
• Dimensions: 22.6 x 15.7 x 12.4 cm
• Theoretically infinite steering angle, but limited to 2000° by Moza Racing’s in-house software
• All-aluminum construction
• Compatible with the PC platform
• QR from motor racing

Design

The design of the Moza R12 is virtually identical to that of its smaller siblings, the R9, R5 and R3. I guess Moza’s designers had the mantra “you can’t change a winning team”. The characteristic ” X “R16 and R21, with only differences in size and weight.

The black paintwork is very attractive, reinforcing the sobriety of this base. In fact, there are only a few Moza logos here and there, with a small R12 on the side, something we didn’t have on the manufacturer’s smaller bases.

All in all, this base is beautiful, as are the others I must say, and this allows it to be quickly recognized on a setup.

Customized assembly

Even if you have the option of using the Table Clamp from Moza to mount this base on furniture, I’m not a big fan of this mounting solution. Don’t forget that the R12 develops 12 nm of maximum torque, and this may not only introduce flexion into the Table Clamp, but also damage your furniture.

That said, you can attach this base to a cockpit/chassis or stand without the slightest problem, as Moza Racing is practically supported by all manufacturers of this type of sim-racing peripheral. There are 4 fixing points at the bottom, and these provide excellent stability on a chassis, provided the latter is of good quality.

The QR is based on the D1-Spec, but is different from the one found on the R5 and R9. There was already a difference between Moza Racing’s two small bases, and this continues with the R12. Mechanically, the QRs are identical, but the connectors are different, and this means that the old steering wheels (CS, RS and GS, all in V1) are not compatible with the R12, which is a real shame for racers, as they will be forced to pay for new wheels.

Manufacturing and finishing

The R12 uses aircraft-derived aluminum for virtually its entire structure, with the exception of the plastic rear plate housing the I/O (input/output). The build quality is superb, with an exemplary finish.

Aluminum is free from manufacturing defects, and also passively cools the base’s servomotor and electronics. It has to be said that Moza has a good track record when it comes to building its products, especially the bases, as well as pretty good quality control, as I haven’t yet noticed any defects, poorly assembled parts or anything else on its products. Hats off to you.

Getting to know the base

This base is identical in shape to the R9 and R5, with only differences in dimensions and weight. In terms of size, it’s a hair longer (depth) than an R9, as well as being heavier, of course.

You’ll only need to get to grips with this base once, when you install it, or if you change your setup. Otherwise, you have the On/Off button on the back, plus the option of adding a Kill Switch if you wish.

For the QR, as I said, it’s based on the D1-Spec, and is more or less taken from motor racing. The connection between the steering wheel and the base is one of the most solid I’ve ever tested, and I love this QR, just like the Simagic one, which looks strangely similar.

Sensations during play

So how does the R12 stack up in sim-racing? Well, let’s find out. Let me start by getting rid of all the marketing nonsense right away: on the manufacturer’s website, it says that the R12’s engine is a derivative of the R21. As a result, we should be able to get a feel for it, right? In practice, no, this is not the case at all. Even if the force feedback is fine and granulated, the R12, for me, is still a more powerful R9, and that’s not so bad if you ask me.

On the track, you can feel virtually all the effects of and on the car, from changes in grip, to vibrators, to small bumps in the middle of a curve. As I’ve just said, the force feedback is fine and gradual. The R12 is able to distinguish between weak and strong feedback effects. This will certainly appeal to racers who want a highly communicative base, and it’s entirely possible thanks to the R12 and also Moza Racing’s Pit House software. Of course, 12 nm of maximum torque also means more clipping, especially with large flywheels (over 32 cm in diameter).

Compatibility

The R12 base is exclusively compatible with the PC platform and many of the peripherals offered by Moza Racing. Some steering wheels, especially Moza’s first ones, won’t work with the R12 because of a non-compatible QR.

As for sim-racing titles, we’ve got ACC, AC, iRacing, WRC, F1 2022, and the list goes on. It’s pretty complete and you’ll have virtually no trouble with it, except perhaps with Forza Horizon 4 and 5, but a trip through the game and Pit House settings should sort it all out.

Value for money

The base currently costs $560 ex-VAT on the Chinese manufacturer’s website, with a small discount. Alternatively, Moza Racing’s French distributor sells the R12 for €649 inc. Fanatec ClubSport DD which also develops 12 nm of torque, but at a constant price of €800. As far as I’m concerned, the Moza R12 offers very good value for money, even with its few shortcomings, notably the QR which is not compatible with all the brand’s steering wheels.

My verdict

If you’re looking for a great Direct Drive base with over 10nm of torque, I’d recommend the R12 without the slightest hesitation. With its power, fine yet granulated force feedback, excellent ride feel and build quality, not to mention a really attractive price, the R12 has everything to please racers.

What’s more, this base’s QR takes any bending out of the equation, and this feeling of stability is increased tenfold thanks to a steel limit drive shaft. This base is just very good as far as I’m concerned, even if there’s clearly a segmentation in the wheels that are compatible with it.