Fanatec · wheel · 2020
Fanatec ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X
Compact 270 mm Alcantara formula rim with carbon plate, OLED and RevLEDs, Xbox-licensed.
Fanatec's Xbox-licensed formula rim, with a carbon-fiber faceplate, shift paddles, dual analog clutch paddles and a dense button layout. It's built for F1 and open-wheel games rather than road or rally driving.
AI rating
- Ergonomics
- 8
- Controls
- 9
- Build quality
- 8
- Versatility
- 6
- Value
- 6
Who it suits
- First rig
- 5
- Console racing
- 8
- Competitive racing
- 9
- Small rooms
- 8
- Tight budgets
- 4
- Enthusiasts
- 7
Scores are AI analysis of public information (specs, manuals, published reviews and owner reports), not a hands-on test. How we rate
Pros and cons
- Xbox-licensed formula rim, which is rare on console
- Dense controls (rotary encoders, dual clutch paddles) for F1-style in-race adjustments
- Carbon faceplate and compact size hold up on high-torque bases
- Small formula grip is tiring for road cars, drifting or rally
- Around $400 is a lot to spend on the rim in a first rig
Watch out: The 'X' means the Xbox version; PS5 use still depends on a PlayStation-licensed base (GT DD Pro or ClubSport DD+).
What it feels like
- Grip
- Weight
- Clickiness
- Reach
The small formula rim feels like a go-kart wheel. It's quick and direct, and the Alcantara grips are tacky.
Four paddles and many buttons sit close to your thumbs.
At 1.25 kg you'll feel the weight on lighter bases.
About the size of a go-kart wheel, with the weight of a hardcover book.
What the ClubSport Steering Wheel Formula V2.5 X works with
- Attaches with the Fanatec QR, so it fits bases that use the same system.
- With the right base it works on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC.
Wheel bases it fits
Platforms show where each pairing works.
| Part | Works on | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (15 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 83 |
| Fanatec CSL DD (8 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 81 |
| Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm bundle) | PS5XboxPC | 81 |
| Fanatec ClubSport DD (12 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 79 |
| Fanatec CSL DD (5 Nm) | PS5XboxPC | 74 |
Tech facts
| Diameter | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
|---|---|
| Paddles | Yes |
| Clutch paddles | Yes |
| Grip | Rubber |
| Connection | Fanatec Quick Release to a compatible Fanatec wheel base (no separate cable or power) |
| Quick release | Fanatec QR |
| Size (W × D × H) | 11 × 4 × 7 in (27 × 11 × 17 cm) |
| Weight | 3 lb (1.2 kg) |
| Materials | Carbon fiber, aluminum and rubber |
| Released | 2020 |
| Platforms | PS5XboxPC |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The Formula V2.5 X is Fanatec's small, single-seater-style rim and the Xbox-licensed version of the ClubSport Formula V2.5. It has a 5 mm carbon-fiber front plate, Alcantara grips, a pre-installed magnetic paddle module and four paddles (two shift, two clutch). It also has 11 buttons, thumb encoders, a 1-inch OLED display, RevLEDs and FlagLEDs. At about 1.25 kg it is heavy for a rim, which loads the motor of an entry base. Fanatec's own listing is $439.99 in the US, so the $399 in this entry looks low.
It fits formula cars, prototypes and GT3, but the 270 mm size feels cramped on road cars and rally. It needs a Fanatec wheel base with the Quick Release, since it can't run alone. For Xbox, pair it with a base that has Xbox licensing. For PlayStation, Fanatec says you need a PlayStation-licensed direct drive base. Check the rim list for your exact base, because compatibility depends on the base more than on the rim. A first-rig buyer on a tight budget will find the price high for one rim, but the buttons and display are good value for what's included.
Questions buyers ask
Does it work on PS5?
Only with a PlayStation-licensed Fanatec direct drive base, per Fanatec. It doesn't work on a base without PlayStation licensing, even though this is the Xbox version.
Can I use it without a wheel base?
No. It needs a compatible Fanatec wheel base, sold separately, and it attaches by Fanatec's Quick Release.
Is it good for GT or road cars?
It can be used, but the 270 mm formula shape suits single-seaters and prototypes best. Many GT drivers prefer a round rim.