Last week, I was at the ADAC Simracing Expo in Dortmund. I choose to highlight the big things below. From high-end hardware to AI-powered coaching, there was a lot at this year's expo. There's a growing feeling that the market has become oversaturated with new wheel manufacturers entering the fray, but personally, this can be a good thing for us sim racers. More competition means better products and more innovation, possibly at lower prices.
Here are some of the new products and trends that I saw from the event.
Asetek Invicta Formula Wheel
What's the latest with Asetek's Invicta Formula Wheel, and will it live up to the hype?
But one of the bigger highlights of the expo had to be Asetek's new Invicta Formula Wheel. This is a high-of-the-line, fully customizable wheel designed to be part of Asetek's broader ecosystem. You can change just about everything on it, from the handles and grips to the button layout and quick-release system. If you enjoy the process of tweaking hardware to suit your exacting preferences, this wheel has a lot going for it.
On Asetek's expo demo rig, the FFB setup was almost uncomfortably high, feeling more akin to a wrestling match with the car than an actual racing experience. This is of course great from a demo perspective, but over 8nm starts getting too much for many longer races. Otherwise, the general quality of the build and the level of customization that's possible proved impressive. I was able to try Asetek's online customization tool later, proving pretty intuitive and user-friendly.
Pricing: While the base model starts at €1,500, once you start adding all the mods available, the price does have a tendency to go up really fast. This wheel does certainly appeal to some serious sim racers who need something that offers a top-of-the-line and customizable experience.
Assetto Corsa EVO: Setting a New Benchmark
How does Assetto Corsa EVO change the game of sim racing?
Assetto Corsa EVO is not just an update but a remake of the whole game. The game was supposed to be built on a whole new game engine with stunning visuals, dynamic weather, and realistic physics that are more real than ever.
I was able to try three different scenarios:
Porsche 911 at Imola: Beginning of night transition so smooth, inside track lighting effects were absolutely breathtaking once things cooled down.
Alpine on Mount Panorama: The track became slippery due to the heavy rain, eventually challenging me to make changes in my driving style.
Hyundai at Brands Hatch: This mixed wet and dry conditions do make for a great showing of how the new physics engine handles changing grip levels.
New Features: First and foremost, one of the top additions is the car ownership system. Why It Matters: If Assetto Corsa EVO lives up to its claims, it could raise the bar regarding realism for sim racing games. That would mean the competitor racing simulation games should pay attention.
Logitech's New Lineup
With such new products, can Logitech ever compete with middle and high end brands?
Logitech has for long been the brand for novices, but it's reaching a little higher on the wheel, rim, and accessory lineup. This new gear seems designed to compete on the mid-range level while still being very beginner-friendly.
At this expo, most of the Logitech rigs were set to just about 1-2nm of torque, which just does not allow their bases to shine. After some persuading, I was able to convince a rep to bump it up to 10nm. Immediately,
I was able to already tell a rather stark difference: the feedback was so much more detailed, and you can fully start to feel the actual dynamics of how the car handles. Logitech has also improved upon compatibility. For the new base, you can mount a wide range of rims, providing even more flexibility.
This new lineup from Logitech is ideally suited for beginners who wish to grow into a more advanced setup without massive upfront investment.
Fanatec's New Products: Back in the Game after Acquisition
How does the latest gear from Fanatec actually stack up after their recent challenges?
When Corsair bought Fanatec recently, many were concerned that the company would stop innovating. During this expo, they proved they are still one of the top players with four new products.
Key Highlights:
Clubsport V2 Handbrake: Now fitted with a load cell, this new handbrake provides more realistic feel. Ideal for rally enthusiasts.
CSL Elite Porsche Vision GT Steering Wheel: I expect this wheel to come in with a price around €300-€400 range, this wheel manages to bring a load of features usually only seen in higher-end models down to the midrange segment.
Bentley Wheel: this is a top-range product, just from its price-€2000. It features inbuilt display screens and high-quality materials.
Corsair Cockpit - Rebranded to Fanatec: This new cockpit seemed solid and of high quality. It will easily surpass the €1000 price tag, but it's really a great choice for anyone looking to invest in a great rig.
Fanatec's new releases show they are committed to maintaining a place at the leading edge of this industry. The acquisition by Corsair seems to have provided the resources to keep pushing forward.
Thrustmaster's T598
Why was Thrustmaster being so secretive with their new T598, and does it live to the rumors? Thrustmaster did things a little different, keeping their new T598 wheel behind closed doors at the expo. You had to make an appointment just to try it-a move that certainly built intrigue but also limited exposure at the same time.
The T598, with its direct axial drive, was a big leap from the older, gear-driven systems that normally cropped up from Thrustmaster. It proved responsive and detailed, at least while hooning it up in Gran Turismo. In Assetto Corsa Competizione, it didn't feel quite as impressive, so it's clearly set up with console users in mind. The pedals were functional but very basic, compared with some of the other offerings here.
When I got my hands on the T598, it definitely felt like a step up from their previous wheels. The direct axial drive delivers a more detailed and responsive feedback compared to the systems they’ve used before. Playing Gran Turismo was a lot of fun, the wheel felt solid and precise. However, switching to Assetto Corsa Competizione revealed some limitations.
The performance felt a bit muted, probably because of the pedals, they were usable, but nothing to write home about. If you’re serious about sim racing, you’ll probably want to upgrade the pedals sooner rather than later. Overall, I like the experience of the wheel and would like to test it out. But of course, with a better set of pedals and using a setup in ACC.
Trophy AI: Real-Time Coaching for Sim Racers
Trophy AI was one of the standout innovations at the expo. This AI-driven coaching tool gives real-time feedback to help you improve your racing skills. It’s like having a virtual coach right next to you, analysing every corner, every breaking point, and every mistake.
I tried it, and I have to say, it’s incredibly useful. Within a few laps, I managed to improve my times significantly. The AI pointed out areas I wasn’t optimising—like braking too early or taking a bad racing line—and gave instant tips to correct them. By the end of the session, I had topped my group’s leaderboard, and I felt like I’d genuinely learned a lot.
What’s great about Trophy AI is that it’s not just for pros. It’s also fantastic for beginners who want to understand the basics of racing lines and braking points without hiring a real-life coach."
Simagic and Market Saturation: Too Much Choice?
Is the sim racing market oversaturated, and what does it mean for us? Simagic brought the most interesting products to the expo, including new active pedals and a modular wheel system.
Positioned for the mid-range price segment, there are quite some innovative designs in their product lineup. Market Observations: It's evident that the sim racing market is getting saturated. More and more brands come into the fray with each passing year. This only presents the consumer with a myriad of choices, although most times it tends to be quite overwhelming. Which again isn't bad-the more brands fighting, the lower the prices drop, forcing the brands to innovate.
For example, Simagic has been literally cutting through with mid-range products at affordable prices. Pros: Very innovative, reasonably priced, good middle-range options. Cons: Not very easy for new brands to stand out. Market Trend: The maturing market will see increasing brands focusing on either niche features, specialized products, or mid-range offerings.
Conclusion
Overall, the ADAC Sim Racing Expo in Dortmund was great. I saw exciting new gear, some innovative tech, and got a glimpse into the future of sim racing. Yes, the market is getting crowded, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s pushing companies to innovate, and it means more options for us.
I had a fantastic time, and I can’t wait to see where the industry goes from here.
Read more
