Every New Direct Drive Wheelbase Announced for 2026 and Beyond

The Direct Drive wheelbase market is expanding again in 2026. New manufacturers are moving into higher torque classes, established brands are replacing older flagship hardware, and console users will soon have more options below the traditional premium price point. Following Gamescom 2026, several additional wheelbases have now joined an already busy year for sim racing hardware.

The most important upcoming products include PXN’s new S16 and S23, Sim-Lab’s DDS26 and DDS39 TorqueSync, three console-focused Revosim systems and Thermaltake’s developing G15 platform. Meanwhile, MOZA, Fanatec, SIMAGIC and Simucube have already released or started taking orders for significant new Direct Drive hardware during 2026.

One important distinction applies before comparing specifications. Manufacturers describe torque differently. Some quote constant or sustained torque, while others specify maximum or peak output. Fanatec even separates holding torque from temporary peak overshoot. The figures below therefore reproduce the terminology supplied by each manufacturer rather than treating every Nm rating as an identical measurement.

Upcoming Direct Drive Wheelbases Still to Arrive

PXN S16 and S23

PXN delivered one of the biggest wheelbase surprises of Gamescom 2026 with the S16 and S23, its most powerful Direct Drive bases to date. The S16 provides a claimed 16 Nm of constant torque, while the S23 raises that figure to 23 Nm constant, moving PXN considerably beyond the affordable and entry-level hardware with which the company has traditionally been associated.

Both bases use a 24-bit magnetic encoder, dual-core processing and a real torque sensor. PXN also lists intelligent temperature management and software configuration through PXN SimRacing. The torque sensor is particularly notable because the base can measure its actual output rather than relying only on motor calculations when managing force feedback.

PXN allowed Gamescom visitors to drive the S16 alongside its GT ONE steering wheel and Vector X pedals, so the hardware has moved beyond a simple render or concept announcement. However, PXN has not confirmed pricing or a retail release date for either the S16 or S23. That makes these two of the most important genuinely upcoming wheelbases to watch after Gamescom.

Sim-Lab DDS26 and DDS39 TorqueSync

Sim-Lab is entering the Direct Drive market at the opposite end of the performance spectrum. Its first two wheelbases are the DDS26 TorqueSync and DDS39 TorqueSync, rated at 26 Nm and 39 Nm of peak torque respectively. They were developed with Italian motor-control specialist SOLO Motorcontrollers and use an industrial SPMSM AC brushless motor architecture.

Both bases operate around an unusual 350 VDC internal servo architecture and a multithreaded control loop running above 100 kHz. The DDS26 incorporates a 1,500 W peak-rated internal power supply, while the DDS39 increases that to 2,500 W. Both use 24-bit encoders with around 16 million positions and integrate the power supply directly into the housing rather than relying on a large external brick.

Sim-Lab is also pursuing a relatively open wheel ecosystem. The Xero-Play Quick Release V2 carries USB data and up to 2,500 mA of 5 V power through an industrial replaceable slip ring. Standard 70 mm wheels and third-party USB hardware can therefore be incorporated without requiring every steering wheel to come from Sim-Lab or GRID Engineering.

Pricing is €1,499 for the DDS26 and €1,999 for the DDS39. The current Founders Edition product page states that new pre-orders will ship from the end of October 2026. This is worth noting because some older Sim-Lab pages still contain previous launch estimates; the current product listing provides the more relevant schedule as of August 31.

Revosim RS Lite, RS Initiale and RS Pure for consoles

NACON’s Revosim brand is preparing one of the most significant expansions at the lower and middle end of the market. Three new Direct Drive systems are heading to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with separate versions for each console platform. Both console versions will also work on PC.

The entry-level RS Lite uses a 3.2 Nm Direct Drive base and is expected to cost €279.90 as a complete bundle. Above it, the RS Initiale increases output to 6 Nm and is priced at €549.90. The console version of the flagship RS Pure reaches 10 Nm and costs €849.90. The existing PC-only RS Pure remains a separate 9 Nm product.

NACON originally confirmed the three console Direct Drive systems in May. Its latest August showcase now targets a November 2026 launch, placing all three in the pre-Christmas market. This gives Revosim an unusually broad range stretching from a relatively inexpensive 3.2 Nm starter package to a 10 Nm load-cell-equipped system.

The RS Lite includes a 280 mm wheel, two pedals, desk clamp and phone holder. RS Initiale occupies the middle ground, while RS Pure moves to a 300 mm wheel, aluminium quick release and 100 kg load-cell brake. The important point for this list is that these are not merely PC products gaining software support: NACON is preparing dedicated certified console versions.

Thermaltake G15x and G15

Thermaltake is also attempting to establish a larger presence in sim racing with the G15x Direct Drive Wheel Base. The standalone base provides 15 Nm, uses a 24-bit steering resolution and supports unlimited rotation. Thermaltake says it works with its XRW steering wheels through a quick-release adapter while also supporting wheels from other manufacturers.

The company’s latest Gamescom material lists the G15x at €719.90. Thermaltake is also preparing a complete G15 Racing Bundle combining a 15 Nm, 24-bit Direct Drive base with a 13-inch D-shaped wheel and three-pedal Hall-effect pedal set. The official Gamescom page lists that complete system at €990.90 and marks it for Q1 2027 availability.

Thermaltake’s situation is slightly unusual because some G15 hardware is already appearing through European retail channels, while its current Gamescom roadmap still places the complete bundle in Q1 2027. Until Thermaltake provides a clearer global launch schedule, the safest description is that the G15 ecosystem is entering retail progressively rather than assigning one universal release date.

New 2026 Direct Drive Bases Already Reaching Buyers

MOZA R16 Ultra

MOZA replaced its previous R16 concept with the new R16 Ultra on July 28. The base delivers 16 Nm of sustained torque and uses a new high-density flat-wire motor, 21-bit magnetic encoder and 600 MHz processor. It also introduces MOZA’s NexGen Force Feedback Algorithm U1 and supports bottom, front and side mounting.

The R16 Ultra costs €549 in Europe and $529 in the United States. Orders are already open, although MOZA’s product page still lists an estimated dispatch of late August 2026 as of August 31. Platform support currently includes PC, with Xbox functionality available when using the compatible ESX steering wheel.

MOZA’s focus here is not simply raising torque. The previous R16 already occupied the same nominal power class. The new base changes the motor, encoder and processor architecture while increasing tuning capability and thermal management, effectively bringing technology from MOZA’s newer high-end platforms into the 16 Nm segment.

MOZA R5 Pro

The R5 Pro is another genuinely new MOZA Direct Drive base, although it is currently sold as part of the R5 Pro Racing Simulator rather than as a standalone wheelbase. Output increases from the previous R5’s 5.5 Nm to 6 Nm, while encoder resolution jumps from 15-bit to 21-bit, providing more than two million steering positions.

MOZA also gives the R5 Pro a 600 MHz processor, 1,000 Hz USB refresh rate, NexGen Force Feedback Algorithm 5.0 and revised temperature management. The complete bundle includes the R5 Pro base, ES Lite wheel, SRP Lite2 brake and throttle pedals and table clamp for €419 / $399. It is designed for Windows PC rather than console use.

This is an important addition because not every new Direct Drive product is chasing 20 or 30 Nm. The R5 Pro targets first-time DD users and desk installations, showing that manufacturers are simultaneously expanding both the entry-level and high-end segments.

Fanatec Podium DD

Fanatec’s new Podium DD arrived at the beginning of 2026 as the successor to the older DD1 and DD2 generation. Fanatec rates it at a true 25 Nm of holding torque, with short peak overshoot reaching as high as 33 Nm. It is currently available in Europe for €1,099.95.

The new architecture uses a custom Direct Drive servo motor designed in Germany, reinforced electronics, passive thermal management and Fanatec’s FluxBarrier technology. FullForce adds higher-frequency vibration information to the conventional steering force signal when supported by the simulator. A 100 mm shaft extension is included as standard, allowing monitors to sit between the base and wheel.

Podium DD also uses QR2 from the ground up, rather than adapting the previous QR1-era mechanical architecture. Fanatec provides side and bottom T-nut mounting rails, plus ports for pedals, two shifters, handbrake and future CAN peripherals. The base therefore represents an actual second-generation flagship rather than a higher-output version of ClubSport DD.

SIMAGIC EVO Ultra 28 Nm

SIMAGIC expanded its Alpha EVO family in March with the EVO Ultra, its most powerful wheelbase to date. The company specifies 28 Nm of peak torque and launched it at $969. This places the Ultra above the existing 9, 12 and 18 Nm EVO variants rather than replacing those models.

The base uses a custom five-pole-pair servo motor, 21-bit encoder and SIMAGIC’s latest force-feedback processing. Its ecosystem supports both legacy 2.4 GHz SIMAGIC wheels and newer CAN FD connections, while an adapter allows the use of third-party wheels. Active cooling is intended to maintain output during longer high-load sessions.

SIMAGIC launched the EVO Ultra alongside SimPro Manager 3.0, giving users deeper profile management and device configuration. Unlike the PXN and Sim-Lab products still waiting for wider delivery, EVO Ultra has already reached its commercial launch phase and is available through SIMAGIC’s regional distributor network.

Simucube 3 Ultimate

Simucube completed the high end of its third-generation wheelbase family in June with the Simucube 3 Ultimate. Sport and Pro had already started shipping in late 2025, but Ultimate was deliberately held for 2026 because it uses a substantially different motor design. The final product became available from June 16, 2026.

Ultimate delivers 35 Nm maximum torque from a spoke-type interior permanent magnet motor rather than the SPM architecture used by Sport and Pro. Simucube says the design concentrates magnetic flux more effectively, allowing faster response and high torque while maintaining efficiency. A 23-bit absolute angle sensor provides roughly eight million positions per revolution.

Another major change across Simucube 3 is LightBridge. Data transfers contactlessly across the quick release using infrared communication, while electrical power transfers inductively. This removes physical electrical contacts and slip rings from the rotating interface for compatible Simucube Link steering wheels. Traditional USB steering wheels can still be connected separately.

Simucube lists the Ultimate at €2,679 excluding VAT, with a five-year warranty. The less powerful Simucube 3 Sport and Pro remain at 15 Nm and 25 Nm respectively, but because those two started shipping in November 2025, Ultimate is the model that belongs specifically to the 2026 launch cycle.

Direct Drive Wheelbase Status

The table also illustrates why torque figures need context. Sim-Lab’s 39 Nm is a peak specification, PXN describes its 23 Nm as constant torque, and Fanatec quotes 25 Nm holding torque plus temporary 33 Nm overshoot. A simple ranking based only on the largest number would therefore provide an incomplete comparison.

The wider trend is equally clear. Entry-level Direct Drive now extends down to approximately 3–6 Nm, while the enthusiast market is filling rapidly around 15–25 Nm. At the extreme end, Sim-Lab, Simucube and SIMAGIC are pushing new consumer hardware into the 28–39 Nm range. The next major questions are no longer simply how much torque a base can generate, but how consistently it can deliver it, how quickly the motor can respond, and how open its steering-wheel ecosystem remains.