Review Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro

As you have seen recently, we have been busy with various reviews, and this time it is Sebas V. who brings us his opinion and perspective on the Pro version of Ascher Racing’s most important license.

First, let’s introduce our analyst, who barely knew how to drive before 2017 (some of us still doubt it to this day) and through simracing and a lot of effort and sacrifice has managed to fully enter the world of real competition. Last year he became the champion of the 2023 RACER Cup and was named the best rookie of the competition with barely any previous track experience. The RFEDA made this achievement official by awarding him the two titles. This year, he is trying other categories more suited to what this steering wheel offers us. He seems like a good candidate to write about all of this.

Those of you who have been in the world of cars and virtual racing for a while might find this familiar, but for the newcomers, it should be noted that Ascher Racing is a veteran brand, known for its craftsmanship and quality. For a few years now, it has been part of the KW Automotive group, which provides stability and funding. Since its creation by Martin Ascher in 2015, it has been recognized for its premium, high-quality products and attention to detail, aimed at the most demanding simracing users.

Introduction and Features

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I, who know a lot about sports cars but am short on words, will try to convey what a steering wheel like this can offer you as users or drivers. In this review, we will cover one of the models in the range of real steering wheel replicas manufactured by Ascher Racing licensed by McLaren; the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro .

This steering wheel is in the upper half of the four currently available:

• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Ultimate
• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro
• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4
• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Sport

This Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro is the best steering wheel of the brand that does not have a display, retaining all other features of the superior model, the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Ultimate . Although there is a wireless variant for Simucube 2, I will talk about the USB model.

As you have seen, the steering wheel is manufactured similarly to the real GT4 model, only changing some features to allow the comfort of virtual drivers.

Packaging

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If there is something that has improved over time in the simracing universe, it is the packaging and care that brands put into presentations. In this case, Ascher Racing has managed to “dress” their product with colorful packaging, up to the expected standards.

In the photographs, you can see the padding, tools and screws to attach a QR, stickers for tiny modifications, and everything needed to enjoy our steering wheel, or store it if necessary.

Assembly

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First, like a good student, go to the brand’s website and download the instructions for our corresponding model. In this case, it can be found at the following link:

• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Manual

It details multiple scenarios for different manufacturers (including Asetek compatibility), showing how to mount our QR easily. In my case, I will mount the typical Q1R that has been with us for so many years.

It is possible to mount almost any QR, but for others with threaded holes, it is necessary to open the steering wheel and do it from the inside. All of this is detailed exhaustively in the instruction manual I linked earlier.

Once this is done, connect the USB to the PC and install the Ascher Racing Control Center to adjust the clutch bite points or their operation.

• Ascher Racing Control Center v0.9

Software

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The steering wheel is fully compatible with SimHub. I’m not a fan of LEDs or configuring more programs than necessary, but everything is prepared to interact with the telemetry of the simulator you are using at that moment. The user guide has a very explicit section for configuring it. To give you an idea, it is possible to make the limiter button change color depending on whether it is activated or not and whether we are in the pit lane or not. The RPM LEDs can be adjusted based on the car and gear, etc…

Time is the limit; you just have to get down to work and know exactly what you want to achieve.

If we go to the Ascher Racing Control Center, there we can set the button mappings, the type of rotary press, clutch curves, bite points, if we want to use them as other axes, dead zones, etc…

However, it should be mentioned that for purists, there is the option to perform certain basic functions of the steering wheel without having to install any software. Mainly, it is about calibrating the clutch and bite point, updating its firmware, and resetting to factory values. By button combination, we can perform these functions.

Customization

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The buttons can be relocated with some care not to scratch their surface. This allows us to personalize the button locations if the default layout is not to our liking.

In the Ascher Racing store, there is the option to add a complete set of various types of buttons, mainly of other colors for the knobs, which can be purchased along with the steering wheel for 99 euros. A smaller set is available for 29 euros.

Appearance

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The Artura Pro from Ascher Racing stands out for its robust and high-quality design. It is made of black anodized aluminum, giving it a professional look and exceptional durability. The grips are covered with a rubber material that provides excellent adherence and comfort during long sessions… The feel is spectacular.

As we have already mentioned, the steering wheel is equipped with an impressive number of buttons and controls, ideal for detailed customization and configuration. When combined with the button mappings and mode changes, the possibilities are virtually endless.

The fact that the buttons are interchangeable, backlit, and that colors and actions are fully configurable via SimHub (free) is a significant extra because it also offers a crazy range of possibilities.

In the USB version of the model I am using, the spiral cable is reinforced and elongated. It screws into the back of the steering wheel, so if you have a problem with it, you don’t need to send the whole steering wheel to after-sales service, just replace the cable. This should speed up (and solve) any potential USB connection issues we’ve often suffered in the past.

Final Thoughts

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I have to say I am delighted with the steering wheel.

Over the years, I’ve had several steering wheels, all of good quality and crafted with detail and care. It is normal for manufacturing processes to improve over time and for possibilities to increase, and that is precisely what we find here.

The Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro provides an immersive and realistic driving experience. The high-quality materials and ergonomic layout of the buttons and controls allow for intuitive and natural handling. The paddles offer a precise and satisfying gear shift feel, ultra-realistic. To give you an idea, the paddles on the Ligier JS2R steering wheel I race with in real life seem more like simulators than this one.

The quality of many Ascher Racing components is so high that they are used for a competition model of a luxury and prestigious brand like McLaren. In this case, thinking about compatibility with formulas, the two analog paddles that serve as clutches are added, with a feel and travel that are spectacular and hard to improve upon.

In my case, I use the steering wheel with an old Direct Drive, with barely any space between the base and the steering wheel, and my only reproach with this steering wheel is that the rear USB connector is too long and rigid. This has forced me to get a QR or an extender separately to adapt it.

Some of the advantages:

• High-quality construction with premium racing materials.
• Large number of backlit buttons with laser-etched button caps and configurable controls.
• Magnetic and silenced paddles with excellent tactile feel.
• Unbeatable grip and feel.

Some of the disadvantages:

• High price. Starting at 1129 euros.
• May require time to configure to the user’s liking due to the number of controls.
• Needs an extender or a QR if you use non-standard items like I do.
• The USB cable is its weak point; always be careful not to tangle, bend, or stretch it… If possible, use the versions that don’t depend on it.

In conclusion, the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro is a high-end sim racing steering wheel, designed for the most serious drivers. Its price may seem high, but the investment is justified by its durable build quality, overwhelming number of configurable controls, and the driving experience it provides. It is an excellent option for those looking for the best in terms of realism and customization in their driving sessions.

It can be purchased on the Ascher Racing website for 1129 euros or at Simufy with a 2% discount using our code SFYOPTF7ZMR98:

• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Pro

And the other variants:

• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Sport
• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4
• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Ultimate