Direct Drive Wheel Bases

The Direct Drive base is the heart of any serious racing simulator: it transmits force feedback straight from the motor to the wheel, with no belt or gear in between. The result is a level of precision and feel that older belt-driven bases simply can't match. At PassionSim, we carry Direct Drive bases from 3.9 Nm to 25 Nm from Moza Racing, Simagic, Conspit, Cammus, PXN and Thrustmaster.

The first thing to look at is torque, measured in newton-meters (Nm). A base in the 5 to 8 Nm range, like the Conspit ARES APEX 8 Nm, already delivers detailed force feedback, ideal for beginners or a desk-mounted setup. Between 12 and 18 Nm, bases like the Simagic EVO 12 Nm, the Moza R12 V2, or the Simagic EVO Pro 18 Nm reproduce the forces of a real race car: the sweet spot for competing on iRacing, ACC, or Le Mans Ultimate. At the top, the Moza R25 Ultra and its 25 Nm are built for drivers who want maximum torque headroom and instant response.

Next, check three things: your mounting (12 Nm and up really calls for a rigid cockpit rather than a desk clamp), the ecosystem of compatible wheels through the brand's quick release, and encoder resolution (21-bit on the newer Moza and Conspit bases). If you're starting from scratch, a base + wheel + pedal bundle is often better value than buying piece by piece. Need help? Our team of Canadian sim racers is here for you in English and French.

All our Direct Drive bases are covered by the manufacturer's warranty, with technical support in French provided directly by our team in Canada. On the budget side, an entry-level base (5 to 8 Nm) generally falls between $400 and $800 CAD, while competition-grade models (12 Nm and up) run between $1000 and $2000 CAD. Either way, no high-end computer is required: the base communicates over USB with your simulation, with no particular graphics requirement.