Even if the sim-racing market is still dominated by the world’s best-known brands, there’s no denying that Chinese manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to gain share from the likes of Fanatec, Simucube and Asetek.
The assault began a few years ago, notably by brands that have since established a good reputation. These include Simagic and Moza Racing. These two manufacturers of sim-racing peripherals are the perfect example of how passion and hard work with dedicated teams always produce good results.
Alongside Simagic and Moza, another manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals has appeared on the world market. It’s VNM, and the brand offers a complete catalog for virtual racers. For DD bases, we have the Premier, Elite and Supreme. These peripherals develop between 13 and 25 nm of torque and are aimed at a very specific audience: that of riders looking for good sensations, without breaking the bank. In what follows, we take a closer look.
The 13 nm Premier
Design
Let’s start with the design of the smallest DD base of the lot, the Premier. This is the entry-level model, with a design that closely resembles the Simucube 2 bases. Let’s just say the similarity is striking, except for the driveshaft.
The base is a rectangular, all-black box, with the VNM logo placed where the Simucube logo would be. The big difference between the two bases is the driveshaft, which is strangely long compared to the competition, because you have to attach a kind of QR base side to it to mount a steering wheel with a QR wheel side. It’s not the most user-friendly system, but the results are there, so…
The base is beautiful, compact and entirely black, which is a big plus for me.
Manufacturing quality
The base uses aluminum for its entire structure, from the casing to the drive shaft. It’s really well made, even if the brand is only a few years old. I’d say it’s on a par with a Moza Racing in terms of build quality.
As far as the finish of the Premier base is concerned, I haven’t noticed or seen any flaws on it. Given that the manufacturer is present on the world market, and above all that it wishes to compete with well-established names, it goes without saying that the finish must be good. And this is the case with the Premier, so don’t worry about that.
Sensations
In terms of feel, let’s just say that the brand and its bases got off to a rather shaky start. In terms of raw performance, I have nothing to say about the VNM Premier. It’s a base that develops 13nm of maximum torque, with a 23-bit encoder and an electric motor that’s capable of delivering an enormous amount of detail on the track.
The only small problem the base had was consistency. I used the past tense for the first sentence, because the brand has worked hard on its software and firmware, and the VNM Premier has become a superb sim-racing device.
The details are there, both the fine ones and the big ones. You no longer have the inconsistency between sim-racing titles, where VNM bases were literally random: on some titles, it was the holy grail, and on others there was nothing under the hood.
I have to say that the VNM Premier has matured with each update, and is capable of competing with Simagic Evo, Fanatec ClubSport and Moza R without too much effort.
Value for money
At €700, the VNM Premier offers a complete package: a neat aluminum structure, a 23-bit encoder and sensations that have matured with each update. The build quality is good, the sensations are there, and the value for money is worthy of what it has to offer.
The 18 nm Elite
Design
Unlike Fanatec’s DD bases, which are somewhat similar to each other but still display a certain difference, the VNM Elite is virtually a carbon copy of its little sister, the Premier.
The difference lies mainly in size: the Elite is a little longer, as well as weighing more. The reason is simple: the Elite develops 18nm of torque, compared with 13nm for the Premier, so it needed a bigger electric motor to produce it.
And if you don’t have the eye of an eagle, you’ll have trouble spotting the slight difference in size, since it’s only 20 mm.
Manufacturing quality
The VNM Elite covers the mid-range of Direct Drive bases. In terms of build quality, we’re well served. The device is based on an aluminum structure, with cut-outs made using CNC machines.
It’s very well made, carefully assembled and displays no apparent defects. The VNM Elite is a quality, premium base, aimed at products from Simagic, Fanatec and Moza Racing.
Sensations
Like the Premier, the Elite has benefited greatly from VNM’s software and firmware improvements, and the result is just great. The base puts out 18 nm of peak torque, and is very communicative when it comes to heavy and light effects.
With this base, you can practically feel everything the car does and undergoes on the track, from heavy braking with wheel lock-up, to vibrators and loss of grip, as well as big bumps. It’s healthy, responsive and very talkative, especially if you like DD bases that talk a lot, and talk especially well.
Value for money
At €900, the VNM Elite justifies its price with a solid package: 18nm of peak torque, a meticulously machined aluminum frame, and a feel that has improved with each update. This is a base model for demanding sim-racers, and it delivers on its promises.
The 25 nm Supreme
Design
Let’s finish with the VNM Supreme, also a carbon copy of the brand’s other bases, but just a little bigger and heavier.
The inspiration was clearly taken from the Simucube 2 bases, except for the QR which is round on the VNM bases, and triangular on Simucube. Nevertheless, I think Simucube’s Quick Release is better, if only for its ease of use.
Manufacturing quality
Contrary to popular belief, the Supreme is not the top of the VNM range, but just below it. The Xtreme base is the brand’s flagship, and its design is a little different from the others.
Be that as it may, the Supreme’s build quality is still very good, with premium materials, careful machining and attention to detail.
Sensations
The Supreme develops 25 nm of peak torque, and that’s more than enough to hurt you if you don’t set the base correctly.
The feel is simply excellent for a wide selection of sim-racers. The base is responsive, very precise with its motor and 23-bit encoder. It communicates a lot on all effects, and the software has greatly evolved since 2024, when the Supreme had a rather odd behavior, very dependent on the sim-racing track.
But that’s all changed since then, and the base has become much more refined thanks to software updates.
Value for money
At €1,200, the VNM Supreme represents a serious investment, but it justifies it point for point.
The build quality is top-notch: premium materials, meticulous machining, extensive attention to detail. Sensations follow suit – 25 nm of peak torque, a 23-bit encoder, a reactive and highly communicative base on all effects, from the lightest to the heaviest.
The software has also matured well since 2024, and the Supreme is now a consistent and refined base across all sim-racing titles. For those who want to hit it hard without going for theXtreme, this is the option to seriously consider.
VNM Direct Drive
Powerful, precise, accessible
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