Our Verdict
Pros
- Replica of McLaren GT3 wheel
- Much improved shifters
- Updated and better quick release
- Light and responsive
- Very well priced
Cons
- Design a little dated now
- Cheaper feeling plastic than normal
If you’re looking at this new McLaren wheel rim, and think it all looks very familiar, you’d be right. This wheel looks almost identical to the older McLaren GT3 wheel.
That’s because the main goal of this wheel is to improve on the popular formula that the original McLaren wheel used. And that formula produces a low-priced wheel with complete compatibility across Fanatec’s whole range of wheelbases.
I’ll look closer at the performance, price and whether this wheel meets those goals later in this review. First up I want to go over the design of this wheel.
The Design of the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2
In many ways, this is a departure from Fanatec’s usual way of building wheel rims. The wheel face is entirely plastic, whereas normally, the wheels are constructed from carbon fibre or metal.
There is also no trace of Alcantara, with Fanatec opting for rubber hand grips. In many ways, this is barely a Fanatec wheel!
The design itself is a replica of the steering wheel found in the McLaren 650s GT3 car, with one design change.
Fanatec’s wheel replaces one of the rotary dials with their classic 1″ white OLED display. This display is the first notable area of improvement over the older wheel. The older wheel uses a blue LED display.
It does go someway towards making this wheel feel up to date, as the white OLED display is used across many of Fanatec’s modern wheel rims.
Being a replica of the official McLaren wheel rim means that it sits at 300mm in diameter. This is ever so slightly larger than Fanatec’s usual 270mm wheel designs, and it is noticeable if you use both wheels.
The larger diameter doesn’t make this wheel more clunky to use, but it will suit slightly larger hands better.
All of the plastic on the wheel is covered in a very convincing carbon fibre wrap. This isn’t real carbon fibre, but at first glance, it looks like it is. You only really notice the difference when you hold and touch the wheel. I don’t mind this omission as it does go a long way to keeping the cost of the wheel down.
My only real disappointment with the design of this wheel is that it is slightly outdated now. It’s a replica of the old McLaren 650s and isn’t the same wheel that is used in the current 720s GT3 car.
If you are racing with games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione, and driving the McLaren 720s, you won’t be using the same wheel.
This is a little disappointing, as it immediately dates the design. However, I can understand why Fanatec chose this option, as it saves cost on producing a new wheel.
The updated shifters and dual-clutch
Fanatec’s biggest update to the original McLaren GT3 wheel is reworked shifters. Most sim racers would agree that the old wheel suffered from sloppy shifters, but I’m happy to report that this is no longer the case.
Fanatec has introduced completely new magnetic shifters, finished in a bright orange, because… well… McLaren.
The shifter utilises a single piece of machined aluminium, which sits on a rocker mechanism. This allows you to shift one-handed, as you can push and pull the shifter. It makes reaching for a mid-endurance race drink much less risky!
Getting used to feeling the opposite shifter moving every time you shift can take some time. But each shift feels so positive that you will quickly get used to it.
Each side of the shifter has a textured back, which gives your hands a good feel.
Overall, this shifter mechanism is fantastic. It is certainly a step up from the ClubSport magnetic shifter add-on you can purchase for other wheels. Although it still sits underneath the Podium Advanced Paddle Module, which is to be expected.
You can replace the shifter with the Podium shifters if you have them lying around.
Just underneath the shifters sit two more paddles. These multi-function paddles have an analogue design and can be programmed for multiple uses.
Being analogue, you can use them as a clutch, handbrake or even throttle and brake inputs. These make this wheel completely operational without the need for pedals.
Easily the best use for them is for setting up a launch control system. You can dial in the clutch bite point, floor the throttle, release the first paddle, and then release the second to get a perfect start almost every time.
The new and improved quick-release
This McLaren GT3 V2 is the latest Fanatec wheel to use their new, simplified quick-release system.
Just like the WRC steering wheel which was released earlier in the year. This wheel uses a simplified system which allows you to attach and detach the wheel without any tools.
The previous McLaren GT3 wheel used an old quick release where you needed a tool to secure and detach the quick release.
This new system secures the wheel to your wheel base by turning the quick-release locking mechanism. Once turned into a locked position, the wheel can’t detach itself.
However, if you want to use this wheel rim with a Fanatec direct drive base, you will require the ClubSport Quick Release Adaptor.
By using the ClubSport Quick Release, you automatically unlock high-performance mode. This high-performance mode allows the direct drive wheel base to use its full amount of torque with this wheel.
You can swap the built-in quick release with the new Fanatec QR2 if you wish to upgrade.
What controls are on the wheel?
The on-wheel controls are identical to those found on the original McLaren wheel. You’ll get a couple of toggle switches, multi-position switches and the standard Fanatec FunkySwitch. There are also seven push buttons which have exchangeable button caps.
This all falls in line with many of Fanatec’s wheel offerings. However, there isn’t quite the amount of control that you get from wheels such as the ClubSport Formula V2, although that wheel rim does come in at almost double the price.
The main omission is the lack of thumb encoders, which are handy for changing settings without taking your hands off the wheel. Jumping from a ClubSport Formula V2 wheel to this took me a little time to acclimate myself.
I had to consciously pay more attention to taking my hand off the wheel to adjust my traction and ABS settings. However, after a little time, I was used to this, and it didn’t take too much away from my overall experience.
Wheel performance – How well does it drive?
As mentioned above, this wheel is slightly larger in diameter and much lighter than other Fanatec Formula wheels.
This could be a detriment to the actual racing and force feedback feeling however that isn’t the case.
The size increase is designed to match the real-world McLaren GT3 wheel rim exactly. And it doesn’t feel too large at all. Many round wheel rims measure around 300mm, meaning you won’t notice much difference.
My preference is certainly for a 270mm wheel, as I prefer being able to reach all the buttons on the wheel with my thumbs. Although the buttons on this rim are close to the handles, this is still achievable.
The wheel’s lightness allows it to dance around from force feedback. This means this wheel doesn’t feel any less responsive than other Fanatec wheels.
In fact, I quite liked the wheel’s lightness and liveliness. You can feel the force feedback strength well through the wheel, giving you a very energetic racing experience.
How compatible is this steering wheel?
Fanatec didn’t have a low-priced wheel that was compatible across all platforms for a while. The only Formula-style wheel rim that is compatible across all platforms is the ClubSport Formula series. But these come in at a much higher price point.
This will allow the Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2 wheel to work across all modern Xbox and PlayStation consoles. This could easily be one of the most popular wheel rims to buy.
It is also compatible with all modern Fanatec wheel bases, from the CSL DD, ClubSport DD, and all the way up to the Direct Drive Podium series.
To unlock the full potential of Podium wheel bases you will need an additional ClubSport Quick Release Adaptor. But the fact that this low-priced wheel can work on the mega DD wheel bases is brilliant.
How much does the McLaren GT3 V2 cost?
The price is easily the best part of this wheel. The price for the McLaren GT3 V2 is only €199.95 / $199.95.
This is easily one of the cheapest Fanatec wheel rims you can buy, and it offers a lot of performance for that small price.
Should you buy the McLaren GT3 V2?
When it comes to recommending / or not recommending this wheel, it comes down to one thing. Do you already own a Fanatec Formula wheel rim?
If you already own a Formula-style wheel rim, then there is no reason to purchase this McLaren GT3 V2. Unless you want to add to your steering wheel collection.
However, for everyone else, anyone looking at buying a Formula-style wheel rim for their Fanatec wheel base. This must be a strong consideration.
I can easily see this steering wheel becoming one of Fanatec’s best sellers, as the price point is spot on. More wheel manufacturers, including Fanatec need to start making more well-priced wheel rims, allowing more sim racers to upgrade their setups.
If you currently own a Fanatec wheel base and don’t have a Formula wheel rim. I would highly recommend picking this McLaren GT3 V2 steering wheel over the ClubSport Formula V2.
You get a lot of functionality for almost half the cost of the Formula V2. Making this an impressive piece of design.
Technical Specifications
Review written by Felix König
