Fanatec has taken advantage of the Sim Formula Europe to finally clear up many of the questions surrounding its top-tier hardware lineup, the Podium Series, and to officially confirm a launch that, while anticipated months ago, now materializes with final specifications, timelines, and several notable refinements compared to the initial announcements.
Several months back, the German sim racing specialist had already outlined its plans to renew two of its most iconic products: on the one hand, a direct replacement for the Podium DD2, its most powerful Direct Drive wheel base to date; on the other, a new generation of Podium pedals, developed from the ground up and clearly aimed at the most demanding professional and enthusiast segment. Those early announcements hinted at a shift in both design and technical philosophy, but many details were still left unconfirmed.
Now, with the official reveal at the show, Fanatec confirms that the project not only moves forward, but does so with a more clearly defined identity and a strong emphasis on long-term consistency and reliability.
New Podium DD: stability over extreme numbers
The new Podium DD positions itself as the direct successor to the DD2, albeit with a slightly different philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on peak figures, Fanatec emphasizes torque stability, guaranteeing 25 Nm of sustained torque, with peaks of up to 33 Nm. The goal is to deliver consistent performance even during extended sessions, a particularly relevant factor for competitive drivers and training environments.
To achieve this, the base features an optimized thermal management system, reinforced electronics, and an all-metal construction. Key components such as the motor shaft, bearing seats, and internal structure are made from aluminum, aiming for greater rigidity and mechanical precision.
The Direct Drive motor has been developed specifically in Germany for this platform, featuring an optimized skew angle on the rotor magnets to reduce cogging torque, along with the patented FluxBarrier technology, designed to improve efficiency and smoothness. Added to this is FullForce, a low-latency solution that blends high-frequency vibration signals with the core force feedback to increase detail and immersion.
As a notable upgrade over previous generations, the Podium DD includes a 10 cm shaft extension as standard, designed to facilitate setups where the monitor is positioned between the base and the wheel—an increasingly common configuration in high-end rigs.
You can preorder it by clicking here for 1199 dollars:
Podium Pedals: ground-up development with a professional focus
Alongside the new wheel base, Fanatec has also confirmed the launch of the Podium Pedals, available in a standard three-pedal package. This set has been developed from scratch in Germany, with input from professional drivers, and uses a combination of diecast aluminum, CNC-machined aluminum, and industrial-grade bearings.
Both the throttle and clutch use factory-calibrated Hall sensors, while the brake stands out for its forged aluminum construction, capable of handling up to 150 kg at the pedal plate, paired with a load cell rated above 200 kg. The braking system also incorporates a patented elastomer-based compression mechanism, allowing tool-free adjustment of travel and resistance, and includes optional linear springs for those who prefer a more progressive feel.
For the clutch, Fanatec introduces a patented bite point adjustment system, using a slider that allows precise control over the position of the resistance peak.
Podium Pedals Formula: a variant aimed at single-seaters
For users seeking a more specialized experience, the company is also launching the Podium Pedals Formula, a two-pedal set featuring carbon fiber pedal plates and heel rests, clearly inspired by single-seaters and formula categories. This version retains the technical foundation of the standard set but adopts a more compact and minimalist design, along with optional grip tape to increase friction on the pedal surfaces.
Both the Podium Pedals and their Formula variant offer advanced curve and dead zone adjustments through the Fanatec App. One of the standout features is that these settings are stored in the hardware’s internal memory, allowing custom profiles to function on consoles as well. Curve selection can be handled directly from the tuning menu, combining presets with custom slots.
Availability and what comes next
According to Fanatec, both the new Podium DD and the Podium Pedals, in all their variants, will be available during the first quarter of 2026, bringing to a close a cycle that began with early teasers months ago and now culminates in an official launch.
With this refresh, Fanatec strengthens its commitment to the highest end of the sim racing market, at a time when competition is intensifying and users are demanding not only raw power, but also technical coherence, durability, and precision. It will now be up to real-world use to determine how these new products perform once they reach the market, and how they stack up against an equally fast-evolving competitive landscape.
You can visit the Fanatec site by clicking here.
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