BMW creates sim wheel you can take off and use in your racing car

Plug and play has been taken to a whole new level with Fanatec’s latest sim racing wheel. Its new Podium BMW M4 GT3 wheel made in collaboration with BMW doesn’t just control cars in the virtual world but can be attached to a real-life one and function in the same way.

Taking the real and virtual world and combining the two could be the future of the sim driving, as series continue to push esports offerings following the pandemic-enforced sim races early in the year.

Created to work with the 2022 BMW M4 GT3 race car, the new Fanatec wheel has been made to the specifications of BMW’s motorsport division and meets homologation for GT racing.

Users will be able to familiarise themselves with each function on their sim rig, then remove the wheel using the quick-release system, allowing them to use the same familiar controls on track.

The wheel’s body is made of eight layers of carbon fibre and features dual-action magnetic paddle shifters. Two thumb-operated rotary switches make use of precise Hall sensors, used in the fastest GT racing and Formula 1 cars.

Sim racing continues to be touted as a brand new avenue to create new racing drivers, transferring their skills from the screen to the cockpit. Winner of the 2019 World’s Fastest Gamer competition James Baldwin made his British GT debut this season and scored a victory in his debut race at Oulton Park with Michael O’Brien.

As well as the BMW GT3 car, the wheel will work with PS4/5 consoles, PlayStation wheel bases and PC. No price has been set for the wheel yet, but is set to launch in the first half of next year.