Simucube is a big name in sim-racing, and has been for over 10 years. The Finnish company offers a range of driving simulation peripherals considered by many virtual drivers to be the best in the world.

The brand’s catalog includes Direct Drive bases, steering wheels covering several motorsport disciplines, including Formula, rally and endurance/GT racing, as well as an active pedalboard (which was the first in the world), and sim-racing accessories. Simucube’s products focus on one thing: offering maximum realism and sensations on the virtual track.

Which brings us to today’s topic: the new Direct Drive Simucube 3 bases. In what follows, we take a look at the Sport, Pro and Ultimate versions of the Finnish manufacturer’s third-generation DD bases.

The Simucube 3 Sport

Design and features

The Simucube 3 is a radical departure in design from the Simucube 2 it replaces. The shape of the base is more minimalist, very square. The cabinet is rectangular, with sides at 45°. I think it’s really beautiful, much better than the Simucube 2, which had a particular design.

The color is a dark gray (gun metal), with an orange stripe on the side, just below the Simucube logo. At the front of the base, there’s a new Quick Release that looks very much like Fanatec’s QR2, with a connection in the center and two notches on the sides to accommodate two metal bars on the QR wheel side. The shape of the QR is not round, but slightly triangular, and looks very much like Mazda’s rotary engine.

For specs, we’re on a base that develops 15 nm of peak torque, with a servo-motor specially developed by Simucube for maximum immersion.

Materials and build quality

The base housing is made entirely of metal, with a build quality worthy of German or even British premium cars: it’s beautiful, refined and magnificently well constructed. Simucube has been a premium brand since its inception, and I have to say that hasn’t changed since, even on the Simucube 3 Sport, which is technically the brand’s “entry-level” model.

Value for money

The Simucube 3 is available in 2 versions: with or without the Link Hub. The little box is essential to operate the base, and if you take it with the peripheral, the whole thing will cost you €1406, and without the hub it’s €1304.

So yes, it’s expensive, and if you compare the Simucube 3 Sport with a ClubSport DD+ from Fanatec, for example, two bases developing the same power, but the 3 Sport is 30% to 40% more expensive. Why? Well, it’s the Simucube crest first, and then it’s the guarantee of high manufacturing quality and exceptional on-track sensations.

The Simucube 3 Pro

Design and features

Let’s move on to the middle of the Simucube 3 range, the 3 Pro. Design-wise, there’s virtually no change, except in terms of dimensions. As before, Simucube’s Direct Drive base is just a little larger than its little sister. Finally, the difference in size is much more in length than anything else, and so is the weight, which rises from 8.7 kg to 11 kg.

In terms of characteristics, we’re talking about a motor that develops a maximum torque of 25 nm, which is just enormous for the category. For the record, the Fanatec Podium DD2 develops the same power, and is the German manufacturer’s top-of-the-range model. Simucube, on the other hand, gives us these mind-boggling figures for its mid-range model.

The 3 Pro uses an SPM motor, as does the Sport, with a 23-bit encoder. This is what you’ll typically find on other manufacturers’ top-of-the-range models, but Simucube is in a class of its own when it comes to sim-racing equipment.

Materials and build quality

Without too many surprises, the Simucube 3 Pro is made entirely of metal for a premium finish, and also to help with the motor’s thermal management. The casing acts as a heat sink, helping to keep temperatures within the norm.

In terms of build quality, it’s simply a carbon copy of the 3 Sport, with the utmost attention to detail. You won’t find a flaw on this base, even with a keen eye. The Finnish brand has a reputation for being very premium in the game, and that’s unlikely to change.

Value for money

The Simucube 3 Pro requires the brand’s new hub to operate, so there are 2 prices, just like the 3 Sport: €1656 with and €1554 without. It’s still expensive, I admit, but if you take the competition into account, the price difference isn’t so glaring. For example, the Podium DD2 costs €1,500, whileAsetek’s Invicta sells for almost €1,630, and develops 27 nm of torque.

The Simucube 3 Ultimate

Design and features

Let’s finish with the Simucube 3 Ultimate, which takes up the design of the other bases without too many surprises. And once again, only size and weight differ between the 3 Ultimate, Pro and Sport. For Simucube’s top-of-the-range model, the Ultimate is 2 centimetres larger than the Pro and 2 kilos heavier. It has to be said that bulking has paid off, as the base model now develops 35 nm of peak torque.

Yes, you read that right: 35 nm max, and this torque comes from a new IPM motor, unlike the others fitted to the 3 Sport and Pro bases. What’s more, this electric motor consumes no more power than that of the 3 Pro, with 450 Watts at peak.

As for the encoder, it’s still 23 bits, and on the front is the new Simucube Quick Release. I have to say that I wasn’t expecting this move, as changing the QR is a tricky thing to do, as you’re going to force all your old customers to pay more to take advantage of the new bases while keeping their steering wheels. On the bright side, however, this QR is much more user-friendly than the old one, which had to be secured with a pin.

Value for money

There’s no need to talk about build quality, because as you can imagine, it’s flawless. We’re dealing with top-of-the-range Simucube, so nothing but excellence here, and that’s reflected in the price, of course.

For the version with hub, get ready, because you’re going to pay €3,463 for it. And if you choose the version without hub, you’ll save around €100.

In the end, this price doesn’t come out of nowhere: Simucube isn’t out to convince everyone, but to offer the best available today, without compromise, for those who want the best.