Direct Drive Wheel Bases

What Is a Direct Drive Wheelbase and Why Does It Make Such a Difference?

A Direct Drive (DD) wheelbase uses a direct-drive electric servo motor to transfer force straight to the steering wheel, eliminating the need for belts, gears or pulleys.

This design removes mechanical latency, low-speed cogging and the loss of detail typically found in belt-driven or gear-driven wheelbases. The result is faster, smoother and significantly more detailed Force Feedback (FFB), allowing you to feel every nuance of the virtual track with exceptional precision.

In practice, this means you can detect the exact moment the front tyres begin to lose grip, distinguish between aggressive and smooth kerbs, and even feel subtle surface imperfections such as expansion joints or changes in road texture.

Modern Direct Drive wheelbases also feature high-resolution encoders (typically 20–24 bit), active cooling systems for long endurance sessions and fully configurable Force Feedback algorithms that can be fine-tuned for each simulator, including iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Le Mans Ultimate, Rennsport and many more.

Which Direct Drive Wheelbase Should You Choose?

Whether you’re just getting started in sim racing or you’re an experienced competitive driver, there’s a Direct Drive wheelbase to suit every level—from entry-level 9 Nm models to professional-grade 28 Nm systems designed to reproduce every detail of the virtual track.

A practical guide based on torque output and driver profile:

5–9 Nm (Entry Level): Your first Direct Drive upgrade. A huge step forward from belt-driven racing wheels, offering a dramatic improvement in precision and immersion.

12–15 Nm (Intermediate): Ideal for experienced sim racers who regularly compete online and want stronger, more detailed Force Feedback.

18–20 Nm (Advanced): Designed for competitive sim racers, online leagues and amateur esports teams seeking professional-level performance.

23–28+ Nm (Professional): Built for professional racing drivers, esports competitors, commercial simulators and driver training centres where maximum realism is essential.

Direct Drive Wheelbase Brands Available at Bolori

At Bolori, we carefully select every Direct Drive wheelbase based on engineering quality, ecosystem maturity and long-term after-sales support. These are the brands we proudly offer:

Simagic: Official Simagic distributor in Europe. Featuring both the Alpha ecosystem (Alpha, Alpha Ultimate) and the latest Alpha EVO range (Sport 9 Nm, EVO 12 Nm, Pro 18 Nm and Ultra 28 Nm). Every model uses Simagic’s Zero Cogging servo motor technology, a 21-bit encoder and the powerful SimPro Manager software. Our top recommendation for the vast majority of sim racers.

VRS DirectForce: The DFP15 (15 Nm) is an outstanding choice for competitive drivers looking for a premium high-density servo motor and exceptional manufacturing quality. Combined with the highly configurable TrueDrive software, it offers one of the most refined Force Feedback experiences available.

What Else Do You Need with Your Direct Drive Wheelbase?

Installing a Direct Drive wheelbase involves much more than simply attaching a steering wheel. These are the essential components you’ll need to complete your sim racing setup:

1. A suitable cockpit. Rigid tubular cockpits are generally sufficient for wheelbases up to 9 Nm. From 12 Nm upwards, however, an aluminium profile cockpit or heavy-duty tubular chassis becomes essential, as the increased torque can flex lightweight frames and reduce Force Feedback accuracy. Browse our cockpits.
2. A compatible steering wheel. Simagic wheelbases use a 70 mm Quick Release system and communicate wirelessly with Simagic wheel rims such as the Neo X, GT Neo, FX and Zeus series. Third-party steering wheels generally require both a compatible adapter and a USB connection. Browse our steering wheels.
3. Sim racing pedals. While independent from the wheelbase, high-quality load cell or hydraulic pedals are essential to fully experience the precision offered by a Direct Drive system. Browse our sim racing pedals.
4. A compatible PC. Virtually all professional Direct Drive wheelbases are designed primarily for PC. If you require PlayStation 5 or Xbox compatibility, we recommend contacting us before purchasing.
5. Manufacturer software. SimPro Manager (Simagic), TrueDrive (VRS) and similar software packages allow you to customise Force Feedback, steering angle, filters and individual game profiles.

Looking to build your complete setup while saving money? Take a look at our Sim Racing Bundles.

Why Buy Your Direct Drive Wheelbase from Bolori?

• Official Simagic and SimNet distributor in Europe, working directly with the manufacturers.
• Official 2-year warranty handled directly by Bolori, with no need to ship products internationally for warranty claims.
• Technical support available in English and Spanish via WhatsApp and email.
• Fast dispatch within 24–48 hours across mainland Spain, with shipping available throughout Europe and the Canary Islands.
• Flexible financing options available through Sequra (where applicable).
• Personalised pre-sales advice. Tell us about your simulator, favourite racing titles and budget, and we’ll recommend the Direct Drive wheelbase that best fits your needs.
• Complete ecosystem support. We can help you build a fully compatible setup including your wheelbase, steering wheel, pedals, shifter, handbrake and cockpit.