The Porsche 911 RSR sim racing steering wheel is one of those products that needs almost no introduction. Just like the real thing, it costs a pretty penny, and without a doubt, it has been one of the coolest and most sought-after sim racing wheels in recent memory. Originally created by Grid Engineering and now owned by Sim Lab, this is a close replica of the real wheel used in the Porsche 911 RSR race car. Simply put, this wheel has been a dream product for a huge portion of the sim racing community for a very long time.
This is not just another high-end sim wheel. It is a full-scale motorsport replica designed to feel and function like a real race car steering wheel. From the moment you see it in person, it is obvious that this is something special. It is massive, extremely detailed, and immediately gives off a true professional motorsport vibe.
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Unlike SimLab’s Mercedes Formula style wheel which is made entirely of carbon, the Porsche 911 RSR wheel is constructed from aluminum with a thick 5mm carbon fiber face plate on the front. The overall structure feels incredibly solid with no noticeable flex anywhere on the front plate.
On the face of the wheel, you get a massive five inch display, twelve backlit buttons, four thumb encoders, and four rotary encoders arranged evenly around the authentic Porsche emblem. Everything feels densely packed but not cluttered. It is clear that this layout was designed for real racing use first and visual appeal second.
Every button, dial, and encoder feels premium. The buttons in particular stood out to me with a soft but clicky actuation that feels extremely satisfying to use. The thumb and rotary encoders also feel well tuned with just the right balance of resistance.
The only minor negative I noticed here was a small amount of side to side play in the thumb encoders. This did not affect performance at all in game, but at this price point, it is something worth being honest about.
From an on-hand perspective, the ergonomics on this wheel are outstanding. All buttons, rotary encoders, and thumb encoders are within very easy reach without needing to let go of the wheel. Even the center encoders are positioned perfectly so that they can be used mid corner without feeling awkward.
This is exactly how a high-end motorsport wheel should feel. Everything is positioned for fast operation without hesitation. On track, this translates to an extremely efficient driving experience where you never feel like you are fighting the wheel layout.
Pair that with the sheer amount of inputs available, and this wheel becomes a serious weapon in endurance racing, GT racing, and high level competitive sims.
Every button and rotary encoder on this wheel is individually backlit. This means you get essentially infinite customization in terms of colors, brightness, and lighting effects. Sim Lab also includes a full sticker sheet and the tools required to apply them, allowing you to label every input exactly how you want it.
This may seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in long term usability. Being able to customize the entire layout to match each car and sim adds a huge layer of realism and organization.
One of the main highlights of the Porsche 911 RSR wheel is its massive five inch display. It is fully compatible with SimHub and can also be used with SimLab’s Race Director software.
Unlike many screens found on sim wheels, this one is actually usable. It sits directly in your line of sight, is large enough to read clearly at a glance, and has excellent brightness and clarity. Telemetry, gear display, lap delta, and system information are all easy to see without diverting your eyes away from the track.
The telemetry light bars surrounding the display are extremely vibrant and can be fully customized for shift indicators, warnings, or status lights. While Race Director does work, SimHub is by far the better experience here due to its flexibility and overall stability.
The grips on this wheel use custom overmolded rubber and they feel fantastic in the hands. They are extremely soft and comfortable while still providing a very secure planted feeling.
The downside to this ultra grippy texture is that it attracts dust, lint, and small debris very easily. During filming, I found myself wiping the grips constantly to keep them clean. This is not a performance issue, but it is something owners will notice in real use and something that a product like SimShield would help to solve.
The paddle system on this wheel includes rocker paddles at the top, adjustable magnetic main paddles in the middle, and clutch paddles on the bottom. From a functionality point of view, this setup is excellent.
However, this is where I will share a personal and subjective take. While the shifters are magnetic and clearly high quality, they did not feel quite as satisfying to me as I was expecting. They are clicky and responsive, but the tactile snap is not as aggressive as some other high end wheels I have used.
This is a heavy wheel. Because of its size, screen, and all the internal hardware, you will want to pair it with a capable direct drive wheelbase. Running this on something underpowered would be wasting its potential.
The connection to the wheelbase is completely rock solid. The wheel itself can be used on virtually any third party wheelbase as long as you have the correct adapter.
Power delivery is handled through an external hub. This is necessary because the screen and lighting draw far more power than a standard USB port can provide. Independent power is strongly recommended.
On track, this wheel feels exactly like what it is. A true flagship motorsport replica. The weight gives it a solid and planted feel. There is almost no flex anywhere in the structure. Every input feels precise and intentional.
Between the massive screen, the vibrant lighting, the perfectly placed controls, and the overall sense of realism, this is one of the most immersive wheels you can possibly run in a sim.
For the vast majority of sim racers, spending this amount of money on a steering wheel is completely unrealistic. There is no denying that this is a luxury product in every sense of the word. However, I also do not doubt for a second that there is a serious market for this wheel.
Between Porsche enthusiasts, motorsport purists, and collectors, the SimLab 911 RSR wheel sits at the very top of the realism ladder. It is the kind of product that people look at as a long term dream purchase.
Being completely honest, outside of the Porsche branding and the emotional connection to the real RSR, there are other high end wheels on the market that can offer similar functional performance for significantly less money. But they do not offer this level of authenticity, presence, and visual impact.
If your goal is maximum realism, maximum immersion, and owning one of the most iconic steering wheels ever created for sim racing, then yes, this wheel absolutely delivers. GRID and Sim Lab truly knocked it out of the park with this one.
