Sim Lab DDX Wheelbase Officially Revealed: The New Measure in Direct Drive?

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When I first got behind the Sim Lab DDX sat down during Sim Formula Europe earlier this year, I did not expect this prototype to feel so mature. But now - after several test sessions at trade fairs like the Sim Racing Expo in Dortmund and the Sim Gaming Expo in Chicago - I dare say: this is perhaps the most impressive direct drive wheelbase I have ever tried. Not just in terms of brute force, but precisely because of the refinement, sensitivity and feeling that this base really lives.

During the first lap, I immediately felt how the DDX reacts to every detail of the track. The way you feel exactly when you lose grip, when the chassis wriggles through a corner or how a kerb springs your steering wheel back - it's next level. As a reviewer and sim racing nerd pur sang, I immediately felt: this is promising! Time to take a closer look at this new DDX with TorqueSync and dissect what makes this new direct drive so special.

Why Sim-Lab built its own wheelbase

Waarom zou een merk dat vooral bekend staat om cockpits zelf een wheelbase ontwikkelen? Omdat integratie telt. Sim-Lab wil dat alles klopt: de pasvorm, de montage, de kabelrouting. Geen adapters. Geen concessies. En dus ontstond de DDX TorqueSync™ - developed in collaboration with Italian motor controller specialists SOLO Motorcontrollers Srl.

One ecosystem, one vision

Het resultaat is een wheelbase die perfect aansluit op elke Sim-Lab cockpit, van de P1X Pro until the new P1X Ultimate, but also perfectly matches high-end handlebars, XP1 pedals, shifters en handrem. Alles klopt: van het boorpatroon tot de kabeldoorvoer, van het design tot de afwerking. Je voelt dat dit niet zomaar een los product is – het is onderdeel van een doordachte visie en een volledig eco-systeem waarin Sim Lab alles aanbiedt wat jij nodig hebt om te sim racen.

The new direct drive benchmark?

But the DDX is more than just a logical addition to the Sim-Lab ecosystem. It is a technological statement that might even become the new benchmark of direct drive technology. A wheelbase that effortlessly rivals - and in some ways surpasses - the absolute best. The entire design breathes one thought: everything must come together in one powerful, reliable and expandable platform.

The technology behind the Sim Lab DDX: Why the DDX feels different

Two versions, one powerful base

The DDX comes in two flavours: the 26 Nm and the 39 Nm version. Both run on an internal 350V architecture - a huge leap from the common 48V system at other brands. And that voltage is not overkill, but essential. Because higher voltage means more headroom, higher slew rate (how fast the power changes) and no power loss at higher speeds or violent steering movements. As a result, the DDX feels more direct, more alert and simply more alive than many other bases.

Always power, always consistency

The built-in 1500W power supply (1200W on the 26 Nm variant) ensures that enough power is always available - even during peak moments. No voltage loss, no thermal throttling. You ride from stint 1 to stint 10 with exactly the same power and finesse. And you notice this difference especially in long races, where other bases do sometimes cut back on power under heat load.

350V: more than just numbers

The choice of an industrial 350V architecture stems from a clear idea: torque as well as speed must remain available over a wide range. Whereas 48V systems quickly reach their limit at back-EMF (counterforce of the motor at high rpm), DDX maintains its power. And you can feel that. Especially with rapid direction changes or abrupt inputs - like countersteering or compressions - the difference is night and day.

Encoder precision down to the last detail

At its core is a 24-bit encoder with as many as 16.7 million counts per revolution. That means: no cogging, no delay, but pure feedback of the smallest movements. From tyre distortion to curbstones, you feel everything - and it's right.

What is TorqueSync technology

The real magic is in the patented TorqueSync™ technology. This translates force feedback signals from your sim into engine power at a frequency of 100,000 Hz - more than fifty times faster than standard high-end systems. As a result, latency is virtually zero and even the most subtle FFB details hold up during violent transitions. In all honesty; TorqueSync is and seems to me no more than a fancy marketing term. Nothing more than that.

In practice? You might feel the rear of the car slip sooner. You counteract faster. You recognise difference in asphalt, tyres and grip change before your eyes see it. It's as if the DDX gives you an extra sense. Especially on more technical tracks, this precision comes into its own.

TorqueSync eliminates lag and synchronises game physics with motor control down to the microscale. This ensures a more natural transition from light to heavy forces, without ‘digital jumps’. And thanks to the high slew rate, the wheel feels instant yet refined. And this is something I can personally attest to given my experiences with the Sim Lab DDX so far.

What are the specifications of the Sim Lab DDX?

Inner runner motor, harmonic balance and encoder precision

The Sim Lab DDX uses a so-called inner runner motor: the rotor rotates inside the stator, resulting in less rotational mass and faster response. Combined with flux-shaping and pole-slot optimisation, torque ripple is drastically reduced. As a result, steering feels smooth, natural and hitch-free.

The engine is quiet, even under load. And thanks to integrated active cooling - with optimised heatsink design - the DDX stays cool and performs consistently, even during long endurance races.

The encoder is industrial-grade and provides precise positioning. Every detail of the asphalt is converted into tangible feedback. No lag, no dead zones, just direct communication between track and wheel.

Mon1TP15 convenience and cockpit integration

A major plus point of the DDX is its mon1TP15Friendliness. Whether you use side-mount, front-mount or a custom bracket setup, the DDX fits. Sim-Lab has fitted the chassis with precision montagerails on all sides, so you always achieve the right ergonomics and rigidity. Additional slots at the top allow montage of DDUs or light screens.

Moreover, no external power adapter is needed - the power supply is neatly integrated into the base. That makes your rig cleaner, easier to install and maintain. You connect just one power cable, without thick bricks or clumsy intermediate boxes. A smart move!

This seamless integration between base and cockpit is exactly why Sim-Lab wanted to build this product itself. Everything fits and everything is right!

New Sim Lab Quick Release

Sim Lab's updated quick release works on the basis of a motorsport-grade taper system and guarantees a completely backlash-free connection. Clever detail: the precision mechanism is on the base side, while the wheel section remains relatively simple and affordable. This lowers the overall cost when using multiple handlebars. At the Sim Gaming Expo in Chicago, I discovered this updated quick release; and fair is fair: it looks and feels great.

Smart connectivity and open integration

In terms of connectivity, the DDX offers everything you would expect from a modern platform. USB 2.0 passthrough, a dedicated 5V line for more powerful rims, as well as four I/O lines for open-source integrations such as CAN or EtherCAT. So you can connect your favourite handlebars, LEDs, screens or button boxes with ease, without limitations. The DDX is ready for now and ready for the future. The open architecture allows developers and makers to build their own integrations - something you rarely see with closed systems like Fanatec.

Renewed Race Director software

The DDX is controlled via Race Director, a completely newly developed tuning suite. It lets you easily set your torque profiles, filters, damping and slew rate. You switch between presets on-the-fly, create simulator-specific settings and perform firmware updates and diagnostics.

The interface is clear and powerful at the same time: accessible for beginners, in-depth enough for engineers. And yes - support for future 360 Hz force feedback in iRacing is already in the planning.

Unique is the visual display of input/output signals. You can see what the game is doing as well as how the engine reacts. Therefore, as a user, you can not only feel your settings, but also understand and optimise them. Especially for competitive sim racers, this is a huge plus.

When will the Sim Lab DDX be available?

The official unveiling took place on 17 October 2025 at the Sim Racing Expo in Dortmund. Pre-orders will open on 1 December 2025 via the Sim-Lab website and first deliveries are scheduled for mid-February 2026.

Sim-Lab is working on special bundles and a limited launch edition for early-orderers. Including perks such as exclusive colours or accessories. Want to be one of the first to drive the DDX? Then pre-order your Sim-Lab DDX wheelbase:

Sim Lab DDX: My personal verdict

Sim-Lab has broken new ground with the DDX TorqueSync. Not just by building its own wheelbase, but especially by doing it SO well. The DDX offers brute force, extreme finesse, open connectivity, premium build quality and a sublime feel. In fact, exactly as you can and should expect from Sim Lab. This is not an iteration on existing technology, but this is the next step; a new benchmark.

And after everything I experienced with it at various Expos, I am sure: this is a serious challenger to the established names such as, for example, the new Simucube 3. Maybe even the new standard. So I can't wait to be able to test the new DDX extensively and reviewen. Because the new Sim Lab DDX looks hugely promising on all fronts.