More than five years ago, Fanatec presented and announced the Podium Series. The flagship wheelbase series of the brand was crowned by the Podium DD2 model, which at that moment was the best the company could do, and therefore, one of the choices on the available market.
Even with the marketing power and the popularity of the Fanatec brand, the Podium DD models always lacked the shiniest and impeccable background of the Simucube rivals. With the Fanatec ClubSport DD and Fanatec Clubsport DD+ , Fanatec tried to reverse a trend where everybody else was catching a part of the cake, and now, this future release will be the anchor of their new generation wheelbases.
Let’s see what features have been announced:
INTRODUCTION
The official announcement says:
At SimRacing Expo 2025, Fanatec reveal two highly anticipated products: the new Podium DD and the long-awaited Podium Pedals. The Podium DD is set to replace the Podium Wheel Base DD2 as the flagship Fanatec direct drive system. An evolution of the acclaimed ClubSport DD and ClubSport DD+, the Podium DD offers 25 Nm of genuine holding torque and the widest dynamic range of any Fanatec base ever. Its FullForce technology is transmitted with incredible clarity thanks to the all-aluminum internals.
PODIUM DD HIGHLIGHTS
- Release: Q1 2026
- The new Podium DD is set to replace the ‘Podium Wheel Base DD2’ as Fanatec’s flagship direct drive system
- The widest dynamic range of any Fanatec Base ever
- Guaranteed torque stability (Consistent 25 Nm holding torque, 33 Nm peak overshoot)
- Thermal optimizations such as the all-metal internal and external structure, revised electronics with more heavy-duty components, additional heatsink on the PCBA ensure stability
- All-aluminum internals, including front and rear bearing seats and shaft
- FullForce technology included. Performs even better than the ClubSport DD due to internal strength and dynamic range
- Massively more powerful in the same footprint as ClubSport DD
- Included 10 cm shaft extension (installation optional) allows optimal monitor positioning
- Compatible with all Fanatec wheels with a QR2
PODIUM DD FEATURES
- Guaranteed torque stability
- Consistent 25 Nm holding torque (33 Nm peak overshoot)
- Optimized thermal management
- Reinforced electronics and heatsink
- Aluminum internals for strength and precision
- Aluminum motor shaft
- Aluminum bearing seats (front and rear)
- Full metal casing for strength and heat dissipation
- Diecast aluminum front and rear casing with diamond cut accents
- Anodized aluminum body with cooling fins also function as the side rail mounting system
- Custom-designed Direct Drive servo motor
- Developed in Germany specifically for the Podium DD
- Optimized skew angle on rotor magnets reduces cogging torque
- Patented, exclusive FluxBarrier technology improves motor efficiency and
smoothness
- FullForce technology
- Super low-latency detail effects through fine motor frequency control
- Fuses high-fidelity vibration cues with the core force feedback signal to deliver a more immersive driving experience
- 10 cm Shaft Extension included
- Allows optimal monitor positioning in front of base and behind wheel
- Optional installation
As you can see, apparently, the internals are much more solid and studied than before, and this should translate into more headroom for the regular performance of the wheelbase. At least 8Nm of headroom following this announcement. Also, the improvement of the Full Force technology and its inclusion in every hardcore simulator should be important to give us an extra inch of immersion.
Of course, these are promising characteristics, but its main concerns should be on a very fragmented market with fierce competition from very different manufacturers that fight for customer attention.
If we are lucky enough, we will test it and we will write our thoughts about this new generation from the new Corsair brand. You can check the current Fanatec products on its website by clicking here.
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