The Porsche Vision GT made its striking debut at the Gran Turismo World Finals 2021, later gracing the cover of Gran Turismo 7 in March 2022. Over three years later, Fanatec has finally released a dedicated sim racing steering wheel inspired by the iconic concept car. Introducing the CSL Elite Steering Wheel Porsche Vision GT—a stylish and feature-packed addition to Fanatec's lineup, albeit a somewhat delayed arrival.
Let's talk numbers. The wheel retails for €349.95 (including VAT) in Europe, $439.99 (excluding VAT) in the USA, and $539 in Australia. While not exactly budget-tier, it's surprisingly accessible for a licensed Porsche product. According to Fanatec, the pricing discrepancy in the U.S. is due to higher tariffs, as the product is designed in Germany and manufactured in China.
This wheel is part of Fanatec's entry-level CSL series, positioned below the more premium ClubSport and Podium tiers. However, Fanatec touts it as their most "premium" CSL product to date.
Modelled faithfully after the Porsche Vision GT's concept design, the wheel measures 310 mm in diameter and weighs around 1.5 kg. Despite being based on a design prototype, it's surprisingly ergonomic. The only caveat? The thumb rest can be awkward depending on hand size.
The grip is wrapped in a new microfiber material called Tactaris, designed as a more durable and sweat-resistant alternative to Alcantara. It performs and feels much like the real thing, and bonus points for being glove-optional.
Button and encoder placement is intuitive, mainly, though some controls, particularly the lower encoders, are more complex to reach mid-race. The build materials lean toward the "plasticy" side, but they deliver satisfying tactile feedback. A nice touch: the Porsche crest isn't just decorative—it's a functional button that gives access to settings via the onboard OLED screen.
While we can dream of a version with a transparent plexiglass display like in the original Vision GT car, the current design remains visually stunning and mechanically impressive.
On the backend, Fanatec is shifting focus to its new Fanatec App, which will eventually integrate FanaLab's features. However, access to FanaLab currently requires a forum account—an inconvenience that Fanatec is working to resolve.
Pros:
If you are a fan of the Vision GT's aesthetics and already own a Fanatec base, this wheel is an excellent addition. We rate it a solid 4.25 out of 5!
If you are interested in purchasing any Fanatec products, including the Porsche Vision GT wheel, and you like what we do here at OverTake, please consider using our Fanatec affiliate link. We earn a small commission on each sale made using this link, with no extra costs for you. With that, you can support your favourite sim racing community so that we can keep hosting all the downloads you need and post all the news, reviews, features, and more.
This unit was provided by Fanatec for review. However, the information and opinions shared and described are not influenced by Fanatec.
Are you excited to see the Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel Porsche Vision GT? Let us know in the comments down below!
Price and Positioning
Back in July 2023, rumours of a Porsche Vision GT wheel gained traction when Corsair secured the patent before acquiring Fanatec. Now, that concept has become a reality. Fanatec recently sent us a review unit, and with global availability kicking off, it's time to put it to the test.Let's talk numbers. The wheel retails for €349.95 (including VAT) in Europe, $439.99 (excluding VAT) in the USA, and $539 in Australia. While not exactly budget-tier, it's surprisingly accessible for a licensed Porsche product. According to Fanatec, the pricing discrepancy in the U.S. is due to higher tariffs, as the product is designed in Germany and manufactured in China.
This wheel is part of Fanatec's entry-level CSL series, positioned below the more premium ClubSport and Podium tiers. However, Fanatec touts it as their most "premium" CSL product to date.
Out of the Box
The unboxing experience is minimalistic—just the wheel, a few stickers, and a quick-start guide. But this simplicity helps keep the price in check. The wheel comes pre-equipped with the QR2 Lite quick release adapter, which works with all modern Fanatec bases without torque limitations. Unfortunately, there is no USB port, so standalone use on non-Fanatec systems is not currently supported—a missed opportunity to broaden its appeal.Modelled faithfully after the Porsche Vision GT's concept design, the wheel measures 310 mm in diameter and weighs around 1.5 kg. Despite being based on a design prototype, it's surprisingly ergonomic. The only caveat? The thumb rest can be awkward depending on hand size.
The grip is wrapped in a new microfiber material called Tactaris, designed as a more durable and sweat-resistant alternative to Alcantara. It performs and feels much like the real thing, and bonus points for being glove-optional.
Controls & Features
The wheel features eight push buttons and seven rotary encoders—two of which are 12-position switches that can also function as encoders. A standout is the seven-way "funky switch" featuring the Fanatec logo, ideal for navigating menus and ICMS.Button and encoder placement is intuitive, mainly, though some controls, particularly the lower encoders, are more complex to reach mid-race. The build materials lean toward the "plasticy" side, but they deliver satisfying tactile feedback. A nice touch: the Porsche crest isn't just decorative—it's a functional button that gives access to settings via the onboard OLED screen.
Shifting Performance
The short-throw magnetic shifters deliver crisp, precise action. They are somewhat louder than alternatives like Simagic's muffled units but comparable in feel to Thrustmaster's Hypercar wheel. Given the wheel's open-frame design, Fanatec did a commendable job integrating all the tech within the compact structure.While we can dream of a version with a transparent plexiglass display like in the original Vision GT car, the current design remains visually stunning and mechanically impressive.
Installation & Software
The setup is straightforward, but it requires a firmware update via a Windows PC—potentially an issue for PlayStation users who don't have a compatible computer. Thankfully, calibration shortcuts are built in, allowing users to fine-tune the alignment without needing to dive into the software.On the backend, Fanatec is shifting focus to its new Fanatec App, which will eventually integrate FanaLab's features. However, access to FanaLab currently requires a forum account—an inconvenience that Fanatec is working to resolve.
On the Track
On both PC and PlayStation 5, the wheel performs admirably. Using it with Gran Turismo 7 on a ClubSport DD+ base, feedback was precise, forceful, and immersive—especially in Group 3 and prototype cars. Despite lacking shift LEDS, the clean layout and solid force feedback made for an enjoyable and responsive experience. The OLED telemetry display is useful, but it felt a bit dim; Fanatec has acknowledged the feedback and is investigating the issue.Final Verdict: A Porsche Steering Wheel for the People
The Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel Porsche Vision GT strikes a compelling balance between performance, design, and accessibility. It's not perfect—missing clutch paddles and limited cross-platform support are drawbacks—but within the Fanatec ecosystem, it offers substantial value for GT-style racing enthusiasts.Pros:
- Faithful design inspired by Porsche Vision GT
- Comfortable grip and ergonomic layout
- OLED screen and funky switch for dynamic control
- Compatible with PC & PlayStation
- No standalone USB support
- Plasticky button materials
- A dim OLED screen in some setups
If you are a fan of the Vision GT's aesthetics and already own a Fanatec base, this wheel is an excellent addition. We rate it a solid 4.25 out of 5!
If you are interested in purchasing any Fanatec products, including the Porsche Vision GT wheel, and you like what we do here at OverTake, please consider using our Fanatec affiliate link. We earn a small commission on each sale made using this link, with no extra costs for you. With that, you can support your favourite sim racing community so that we can keep hosting all the downloads you need and post all the news, reviews, features, and more.
This unit was provided by Fanatec for review. However, the information and opinions shared and described are not influenced by Fanatec.
Are you excited to see the Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel Porsche Vision GT? Let us know in the comments down below!
