After teasing the device with bold claims, Sim-Lab brought prototypes of its upcoming Direct Drive wheel base to SimRacing Expo 2024 in three different versions. A new sequential shifter was also available.
Sim-Lab is mostly known as a sim racing rig manufacturer, but the company has expanded into peripherals as well - a simillar trend can be observed with Trak Racer, for instance. Pedals, a handbrake, a rally-style push/pull shifter and a replica of the wheel used in Mercedes' F1 cars show that Sim-Lab has surpassed its status as "just" a rig builder.
With its upcoming Direct Drive wheel bases, they aim to go even further. Teased ahead of SimRacing Expo 2024, the device is set to be "the best direct-drive wheelbase on the market", according to Sim-Lab's own claim. It is due to release in 2025, and at the Expo, it was available to try in its prototype form.
The base was still shrouded in some secrecy at the event, though. If you were there and saw the device, it will likely not look like what was present in Dortmund once it releases, as the casing of the prototype was not final and intended to hide its true looks.
The prototypes at SimRacing Expo used raw FFB outputs without any filters applied. @Michel Wolk tried the bases and found the FFB to be "not perfect, obviously, but really good for a prototype. The bases felt raw, but clear and friction-less, although they had a few too many FFB peaks in my opinion." There is potential in the yet-to-be-named bases that Sim-Lab aims to be "challenging the status quo" with.
As the release is still some time away, pricing is not final yet, but the bases will likely retail for about €1000, €1400 and €2000 for the 15, 25 and 35Nm variants respectively.
The new Sim-Lab sequential shifter (left) next to the XB1-LOADCELL handbrake.
"The internals are our own design. A lot of work went into it", Sim-Lab Software Engineer Marcel de Jong told OverTake. "We had 10 or 20 prototypes." The resuting feel when pulling and pushing the shifter was rather satisfying, though it will likely be even better once the shifter is mounted in place on a rig instead of the display plate at the event.
Aside from the adjustable stiffness, further customization will be possible via future shifter rod options, which will be available separately once the shifter releases. The date for its launch is not known yet.
What do you make of the Sim-Lab Direct Drive wheel base prototypes and upcoming sequential shifter? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our hardware forum!
Sim-Lab is mostly known as a sim racing rig manufacturer, but the company has expanded into peripherals as well - a simillar trend can be observed with Trak Racer, for instance. Pedals, a handbrake, a rally-style push/pull shifter and a replica of the wheel used in Mercedes' F1 cars show that Sim-Lab has surpassed its status as "just" a rig builder.
With its upcoming Direct Drive wheel bases, they aim to go even further. Teased ahead of SimRacing Expo 2024, the device is set to be "the best direct-drive wheelbase on the market", according to Sim-Lab's own claim. It is due to release in 2025, and at the Expo, it was available to try in its prototype form.
The base was still shrouded in some secrecy at the event, though. If you were there and saw the device, it will likely not look like what was present in Dortmund once it releases, as the casing of the prototype was not final and intended to hide its true looks.
Three Versions In Total
More important than the looks is the performance, of course. Three versions of the base are going to be available with peak torque values of 15, 25 and 35 Nm - so good luck to anyone who sets out to try a 100% FFB challenge on the top-end model once it is out!The prototypes at SimRacing Expo used raw FFB outputs without any filters applied. @Michel Wolk tried the bases and found the FFB to be "not perfect, obviously, but really good for a prototype. The bases felt raw, but clear and friction-less, although they had a few too many FFB peaks in my opinion." There is potential in the yet-to-be-named bases that Sim-Lab aims to be "challenging the status quo" with.
As the release is still some time away, pricing is not final yet, but the bases will likely retail for about €1000, €1400 and €2000 for the 15, 25 and 35Nm variants respectively.
The new Sim-Lab sequential shifter (left) next to the XB1-LOADCELL handbrake.
New Sim-Lab Sequential Shifter
While the wheel bases were undoubtedly the stars of the show, Sim-Lab also showed another new piece of gear, namely a sequential shifter. The device features a very compact housing, and its stiffness can easily be adjusted by a blue ring at the bottom of the shifter rod."The internals are our own design. A lot of work went into it", Sim-Lab Software Engineer Marcel de Jong told OverTake. "We had 10 or 20 prototypes." The resuting feel when pulling and pushing the shifter was rather satisfying, though it will likely be even better once the shifter is mounted in place on a rig instead of the display plate at the event.
Aside from the adjustable stiffness, further customization will be possible via future shifter rod options, which will be available separately once the shifter releases. The date for its launch is not known yet.
What do you make of the Sim-Lab Direct Drive wheel base prototypes and upcoming sequential shifter? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our hardware forum!
