Fanatec Porsche Vision GT Review

Fanatec has recently released a new Porsche wheel, but this time, it's not one of their high-end models. Instead, it's part of the more affordable CSL range, designed to deliver that unmistakable Porsche look and feel without breaking the bank. In this video, we'll cover the pros and cons, highlight key details to consider before you buy, and take a closer look at what makes this wheel special. Let's dive in.

Who Is This Wheel For?

As you probably gathered from the intro, this is Fanatec’s budget-friendly Porsche wheel. It’s a collaboration designed to offer a taste of what a quality wheel can be at a more accessible price, and in my opinion, it does exactly that. The CSL range focuses on delivering that Porsche style and flair, but there are a few compromises to keep in mind.

Those compromises mainly come down to the materials and certain design elements you won’t find in Fanatec’s higher-end offerings. While that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, it’s important to mention in case you’re expecting premium features that aren’t included in this package.

The wheel is priced at 349 euros, though the price may vary depending on your region. It comes with the plastic QR2 system by default, but you can always upgrade to the metal QR2 if you prefer. Having the QR2 pre-installed is a nice bonus, especially compared to older Fanatec products that used the QR1 system.

For those unfamiliar with the quick release, or QR, it’s a mechanism that allows you to easily remove and attach the wheel to your base. It’s designed to make swapping wheels as simple and hassle-free as possible, hence the name, quick release.

Design and Build Quality

The name itself is a bit of a feature: CSL Elite Steering Wheel Porsche Vision GT, yes, it’s a mouthful. This wheel is inspired by the Gran Turismo version of the Porsche Vision GT car. Keep in mind, this isn’t a real car, it’s a concept created for the game. But it’s pretty cool that Fanatec and Porsche decided to bring this fictional design into the real world.

That said, I know the futuristic design won’t be for everyone. I personally enjoy the bold, unique aesthetic, and I think it’s fun to explore these kinds of designs. But I also understand that some people might prefer a more traditional look.

So, this product is definitely geared toward a specific audience. That being said, it looks great, feels solid, and comes with some impressive features. As I mentioned earlier, it’s compatible with both Windows PC and PlayStation, offering flexibility for your setup.

And Here’s a quick breakdown of the features:

• 8 push buttons

• 7 rotary inputs, comprising 4 rotary encoders, 2 multi-position switches and a 7-way FunkySwitch

• OLED display

• Cast aluminium structure

• Custom-designed magnetic shifters

• QR2 Light Wheel-Side pre-installed (no torque limitation)

• 310mm diameter, which suits most racing styles

• The first wheel to feature Tactaris, Fanatec’s new premium microfiber material

The 310mm diameter worked really well for me during driving. The engineering is solid, with a one-piece core underneath that gives the wheel impressive strength and stability. But here’s where things get a bit tricky, the outer plastic cover.

I tried removing it myself, and it wasn’t easy. At one point, I honestly thought I was going to break something. So, if you’re thinking about modifying this wheel, just know it’s not a simple process. I’m sure someone will eventually figure out a way to do it, but I didn’t. That brings up the real question: why would I want to modify this wheel? What is it that I’d like to change?

Shifters

What I wanted to change on this wheel were the shifters. For me, they feel slightly less tactile than I’d like. Don’t get me wrong, they get the job done. They shift, they work, and they’re functional. But the shifting sound is a bit too loud for my taste. I was hoping to dampen the noise if possible, but when I opened up the wheel, there wasn’t an obvious way to add a damping kit or make small adjustments to the shifters.

If you’ve ever tried the Podium-level Fanatec shifters, you know they deliver that satisfying, premium clicky feel. Unfortunately, while the shifters on this wheel are solid, especially compared to entry-level options, they just don’t quite match the quality of the Podium shifters.

That said, we need to be realistic. The Podium shifters alone cost 200 euros, while this entire wheel comes in at 350. So, within this price range, the shifters are perfectly acceptable. It’s not a deal breaker by any means, but it’s something I wanted to highlight since it stood out to me.

Buttons

The buttons on this wheel are functional and generally perform well. However, there’s an important limitation you should know about, there are currently no dedicated presets for this wheel in GT7. Some of the buttons are hard-coded, which means you can’t change their assignments. For example, buttons linked to functions like brake balance, traction control, torque, and fuel are specifically built for GT7 and can’t be remapped.

If you’re hoping for full customization, you’ll find that four of the buttons are locked in as primary inputs, using the same directional mappings as the GT DD Pro and the Extreme Wheel. You can still play around with the remaining buttons to set up a layout that works best for you, but it’s not exactly a simple process, there’s a lot of trial and error involved. In my opinion, this wheel would really benefit from an in-game preset to streamline the setup.

Aside from that, the rest of the buttons work as they should. One more thing to mention: the encoders. Occasionally, they can skip or double-register a setting in the game. Sometimes, when you turn an encoder, it doesn’t register; other times, it jumps a couple of settings ahead. It’s not a major problem, and I eventually got used to it, but it’s something to be aware of.

Overall, aside from the encoder quirks and button limitations, the buttons work well and feel solid.

Tactaris

Tactaris is a new premium microfiber developed specifically for this wheel. Some users have reported that the material can show signs of wear over time, but I’ve been using it for about a month now without any issues. I’ve also been using it without gloves, and so far, it’s held up well.

The 310mm diameter plays a big role in the overall feel of the wheel. It gives you a solid sense of the bumps, curbs, and details on the track, which adds to the immersion. That said, I did have to tweak my settings slightly to get the feel I wanted.

Because this wheel has a larger diameter compared to my usual Podium V2.5, I found I needed to add a bit more force to match the feedback I’m used to. The difference wasn’t huge, though, and I didn’t need to make any major adjustments.

Here are my current settings in case you’re curious, just keep in mind that they may not be perfect for everyone.

Problem or Not!

One thing that often comes up in discussions about this wheel is the placement of your thumbs. When you grip the wheel, your thumbs tend to rest against the plastic cover, which isn’t the typical placement you’d expect, at least not compared to most wheels I’ve used.

Some users see this as a major downside, and I can understand why. It does feel a bit unusual at first. But honestly, it didn’t bother me much. After about an hour of driving, I got used to the position, and it felt natural enough. It’s not something that stands out as a long-term issue for me.

Conclusion

Overall, I’m happy with this wheel, and I think it’s a solid option for the price. It’s part of the CSL lineup, it’s an officially licensed Porsche product, and it offers good value for what you’re getting.

That said, I do wish there was a preset available in Gran Turismo, the design could have been a bit more refined, and the encoders could be a bit smoother. But overall, I’m not disappointed. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which features matter most and whether this wheel is the right fit for your setup. Hopefully, this video has helped give you a clearer idea of what the wheel offers and whether it’s something you’d want to add to your collection.