Fanatec · wheel · 2021
Fanatec CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 V2
Full-size 300 mm McLaren GT3 replica rim with rubber grips, magnetic rocker paddle and OLED display
A GT-style rim modeled on the McLaren GT3 race car's wheel, with shift paddles, analog clutch paddles and rotary switches. It's Xbox-licensed, which makes it the default pick for anyone who wants one Fanatec rim for PC, PS5 and Xbox.
AI rating
- Ergonomics
- 8
- Controls
- 8
- Build quality
- 7
- Versatility
- 9
- Value
- 8
Who it suits
- First rig
- 8
- Console racing
- 9
- Competitive racing
- 8
- Small rooms
- 8
- Tight budgets
- 7
- Enthusiasts
- 6
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, so any Fanatec base works on Xbox with it
- Analog dual-clutch paddles and rotaries cover GT3-style adjustments
- Compact GT shape suits most modern race cars and esports titles
- Mostly plastic construction at this price
- GT shape is awkward for drifting and rally, where you steer hand over hand
Watch out: Xbox licensing lives in the rim, but PS5 support lives in the base: on a CSL DD or ClubSport DD it still won't work on PlayStation.
What it feels like
- Grip
- Weight
- Clickiness
- Reach
The rubber grips feel dense and a bit tacky, and the wheel is full-size at 300 mm.
The single rocker paddle gives a defined magnetic click with a longer throw.
It's light, so it doesn't weigh down a small direct-drive base.
Roughly the size of a real GT race wheel, but lighter than most.
What the CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 V2 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 |
Rigs that use it
- Stealth VRPC · $1,857
Tech facts
| Diameter | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
|---|---|
| Paddles | Yes |
| Clutch paddles | Yes |
| Grip | Rubber |
| Connection | Fanatec quick release (QR2 Lite or ClubSport QR, depending on version), no separate cable |
| Quick release | Fanatec QR |
| Size (W × D × H) | 12 × 4 × 9 in (30 × 10 × 23 cm) |
| Weight | 2 lb (1.1 kg) |
| Materials | Plastic, rubber and aluminum |
| Released | 2021 |
| Platforms | PS5XboxPC |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The McLaren GT3 V2 is a licensed copy of the real McLaren GT3 wheel: 300 mm across, overmolded rubber grips (about 50 Shore A) and a one-piece orange aluminum rocker paddle with magnetic resistance. The fourth rotary of the real wheel is replaced by a small 1-inch OLED screen. Weight is about 1.1 kg with the Simplified QR, so it's light enough that smaller direct-drive bases won't strain with it. Its main selling point for a first rig is platform reach: it is licensed for Xbox, and it works on PC and on PlayStation when paired with a PlayStation-licensed base. The catch is the Fanatec ecosystem. It only attaches to Fanatec bases through the Fanatec quick release, so it makes sense if you already own, or plan to buy, a CSL DD, GT DD Pro or similar. Check which QR generation your base and the wheel-side hub use before buying. Fanatec has since sold a rebranded successor, the CSL Full-Size GT3 Steering Wheel, at about $230, so you may see both. Its main drawback is the single rocker paddle, which some drivers like less than separate shift paddles. This is based on published specs, not hands-on testing.
Questions buyers ask
Does it work on Xbox and PlayStation?
Yes on Xbox One and Series X|S, and PC. It works on PlayStation only when attached to a PlayStation-licensed Fanatec base such as the GT DD Pro. It's a rim, so the base decides the console.
Which bases does it fit?
Fanatec bases using the Fanatec quick release, including CSL DD, GT DD Pro, ClubSport DD and Podium bases. Confirm the QR generation (QR2 Lite versus ClubSport QR) matches your base or hub. It won't mount on non-Fanatec bases without an adapter.
Does it have clutch paddles?
Yes. The paddles can act as a clutch with bite-point modes, as a clutch and handbrake, or as brake and throttle, which lets you drive without pedals. It's configured in the Fanatec software.