In the world of sim racing, speculation is half the fun. Most Fanatec fans are probably wondering what is the German manufacturer’s next move on wheel bases. Are we going to see the release of a DD3 Direct Drive Wheel Base?
It’s been almost five years since Fanatec revolutionized the market with their DD1 and DD2 wheel bases, with their at the time crazy maximum torque (20 and 25Nm) and fans have been left wondering: Is a Fanatec DD3 on the horizon?
The DD1 and DD2, with their stunning features, have now a bunch of fierce competitors as new companies are emerging, such as Moza Racing – with their Moza R16 and R21, and Asetek, among the others.
And, we even see more new entrants coming soon, as cockpit makers such as Trak Racer and SIm-Lab are now expanding into sim racing hardware.
What might we expect from a potential Fanatec DD3 Wheel base?
One of the most thrilling considerations on our minds is the potential advancement in the encoder system. The prospect of Fanatec stepping up to a 24-bit or perhaps a ground-breaking 36-bit encoder would not only match the leading products in the market, but potentially raise the bar for precision and feedback in the sim racing arena.
Moreover, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some fresh features. Perhaps we’ll see the integration of advanced haptics or any other innovation to provide varying levels of force feedback. There could be revolutionary new materials for better durability and lighter weight, or expanded compatibility to make the Fanatec DD3 the most versatile wheel base yet, allowing you to play on PC, Xbox and Playstation.
And, why not, a modular design that allows to easily upgrade and add new components, and possibly integrate with button boxes, dashboards, and so on.
A lot of work is also being done on the software side to make the wheel base and the software deliver optimal feedback, and sometime soon we’ll possibly see something like an AI-driven system to customise and adjust settings based on individual driver behavior.
However, let’s not get too carried away. For now, this is only speculation. As of now, there’s no official word from Fanatec about the existence of a DD3 (or a DD2.5), let alone its potential features or release date.
Keep an eye on our blog for updates on this exciting subject. Until then: keep racing and keep dreaming! And, as always, let us know what do you think!