Fanatec Podium Steering Wheel Bentley GT3

Fanatec is all about ensuring that their sim-racing products come as close to the real thing as possible. Part of closing that gap between simulation and reality is designing their products (race wheels specifically) to look similar to the same wheels you may find in say an F1 car for example.

Though, this latest wheel takes thing a whole new level. Fanatec partnered with Bentley to create a sim-racing wheel, that can actually serve double duty and be used on a real race car.

Fanatec Podium Steering Wheel Bentley GT3

What you’re looking at is the actual steering wheel used in Bentley’s GT3 Pikes Peak race car driven by former Formula Drift champion Rhys Millen. It has all the functionality needed of a wheel used in a high performance application and is FIA approved.

The wheel is made from genuine magnesium and green weave carbon fiber to make it lightweight, strong, and brand consistent.  The grips are upholstered in alcantara because of course.

There is an included (but optional) bottom grip section to make it easier to take on tight hairpin turns (like those found on Pikes Peak).

Once the race day is over for the Bentley GT3, the wheel can be removed from the race car via quick release, plugged into any Fanatec wheel base, and work flawlessly.

Digital display

The most noticeable feature of the Podium Steering Wheel Bentley GT3 is the round 3.4 inch display with a forged carbon bezel. When plugged into the race car the screen displays race car telemetry data. When plugged into a compatible Fanatec wheel base, the display switches to a custom UI and displays all the settings and functions called up by the user.

When not in a race car or a racing simulator, the wheel can be attached to an included USB-C powered desk/wall mount. When on the mount the circular screen can be turned into a clock with its digital face matching the same analog clock found in Bentley cars.

The screen can also be programed to replay the telemetry from “famous laps”.

Buttons and dials

This wheel features machined aluminum rotary dials which are 100% functional and allow the user to scroll through display settings and other functions while maintaining a full grip. There are also replicable button caps and four paddles used for shifting and other functions.

Fanatec Bentley GT3 Steering Wheel reveal video

While this might seem like a one-off concept product to earn some exposure and clicks, rest assured that Fanatec is going to sell this wheel. What we don’t know is when that will be or how much it will cost.

Though considering it is an official licensed Bentley product and a completely functional wheel that can be used on a $300,000+ race car, it will certainly not be cheap.

There is also the use case to consider. How many sim racers out there also just happen to own a Bentley GT3 race car and want to make things a bit simpler? We figure not many.

We’re definitely not one of those people, but we really want one of these wheels nonetheless. What about you? Would you want an interesting piece of sim-racing tech like this wheel? Or do you think this is an overblown flex?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or tweet to us at @MotorworldHype.