The Fanatec QR2-System
Long awaited and finally here! That’s an appropriate statement to start this review with. Despite the announcement in December 2020, the launch of Fanatec’s QR2 system took some time. In October 2023, the moment was finally there: the QR2 system was launched. And how! The available units sold out in no time, demonstrating the community’s genuine anticipation. At that time, we were not among the fortunate reviewers, but we would receive the QR2 system from Fanatec as soon as they were available again. Earlier this year, this happened, and we received a nice package containing a QR Base-Side (Type M), QR2 Pro Wheel-Side, QR2 Wheel-Side, and the QR2 Lite Wheel-Side from Fanatec. This sets a great start for our first Fanatec review of 2024 because we suspect that Fanatec held off on releasing many new products until the QR2 system launch.
The QR2 system is available in the Fanatec webshop. For the QR Base-Side (Type M), compatible with Podium Wheelbases, you pay €149.99. The QR2 Pro Wheel-Side is priced at €199.95, while the non-Pro version is available for €99.95. You’ll pay €59.95 for the QR2 Lite Wheel-Side. Additionally, various bundles are available with applied discounts.
The Fanatec QR2 systeem
The QR2 Base-Side and QR2 Wheel-Side can be paired together, offering a new mechanical design for a secure electronic connection for data and power. No additional parts or adjustments are required, and locking bolts have been eliminated. The upgrade from QR1 to QR2 applies to wheelbases such as Podium Wheelbases DD1 and DD2, CSL DD, and Gran Turismo DD Pro. This upgrade is straightforward and can be performed in a few simple steps, as explained by Fanatec in the accompanying manual and/or on their YouTube channel.
QR2 Base-Side (Type M)
The QR2 Base-Side (Type M) is designed to upgrade Podium Wheelbases to QR2 compatibility. It is also equipped with an FIA certification, allowing it to be used in a real race car. The component is manufactured via CNC machining from a single block of aerospace-grade aluminum billets. Its tapered shape ensures a tight connection, and it features a nickel coating for durability and easy detachment of steering wheels.
QR2 Base-Side (Type C) *
The QR2 Base-Side (Type C) is intended for upgrading Gran Turismo DD Pro and CSL DD Wheelbases to QR2 compatibility. It is crafted from injection-molded aluminum with a CNC-machined finish. The tapered shape ensures a secure connection. Its anodized surface enhances durability and facilitates the detachment of steering wheels.
* For the sake of completeness, we also mention the QR2 Base-Side (Type C) here, although we won’t cover it in the review.
QR2 (Pro) Wheel-Side
The QR2 Pro Wheel-Side meets FIA standards and is suitable for both real motorsport and sim racing. It is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum billets via CNC machining. The QR2 Wheel-Side utilizes a quick-release system derived from motorsport, made from injection-molded aluminum with CNC-machined and black anodized finishing. Both variants use the same spring-loaded locking mechanism for a secure attachment, featuring a tapered shape for a snug fit. The PTFE coating facilitates the detachment of the steering wheel from the wheelbase.
The QR2 (Pro) Wheel-Side is compatible with a wide range of steering wheels, including the ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 (V2/V2.5/V2.5X), ClubSport Universal Hub V2, Podium Steering Wheel BMW M4 GT3, and many more.
QR2 Lite Wheel-Side *
The QR2 Lite Wheel-Side is designed to upgrade compatible CSL/CSL Elite Steering Wheels with interchangeable quick release to the QR2 system. It is crafted from lightweight recycled carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide. Weighing only 211g, it features a lightweight design. Like the other QR2 variants, it utilizes a spring-loaded locking mechanism and can connect to all QR2 Base-Side variants.
The QR2 Lite Wheel-Side supports steering wheels such as the CSL Universal Hub (V2), the CSL Elite Steering Wheel McLaren GT3 (V2), the ClubSport Steering Wheel F1 Esports (V2), and various other models.
* The QR2 Lite has limitations on Podium Wheelbases due to the high-torque detection pin, which does not support the high-torque mode on these wheelbases.
Packaging & Contents
As mentioned earlier, we received the QR Base-Side (Type M), QR2 Pro Wheel-Side, QR2 Wheel-Side, and the QR2 Lite Wheel-Side from Fanatec. These four products are delivered to us by UPS in a large brown box, which arrives within two business days after being shipped by Fanatec. Upon opening the brown box, we find three small brown boxes containing product packaging for the QR Base-Side (Type M), QR2 Pro Wheel-Side, and QR2 Wheel-Side. The product packaging for the QR2 Lite Wheel-Side is loose in the box and shows some damage, as seen in the photo below. Fortunately, this has not affected the contents, which are otherwise in good condition. In all product packaging, we find a manual, a QR code that links to the online manual and installation video, Allen keys, mounting materials, and the product itself. Overall, they are neatly presented products, as we have come to expect from Fanatec.
Assembly & Use
We begin by assembling the QR2 system on the wheelbase. To do this, we loosen the large locking ring on the shaft, allowing us to remove the QR1 system from the housing. We highly recommend carefully watching the YouTube video, as the cable is internally twisted in a specific manner within the shaft. Following the video precisely, we swiftly removed the QR1 system from our DD2 Wheelbase within moments. Afterwards, it’s simply a matter of disconnecting the cables from the QR1 system and snapping them onto the QR2 system. Then, we carefully thread the cable back into the shaft, align everything properly, and tighten the large locking ring around the shaft. Now, our DD2 is ready for use.
Next, we proceed with mounting the QR2 Pro and QR2 for the wheel side. We opt to mount the Pro onto our Fanatec Podium BMW M4 GT3 Steering Wheel, as it is intended for this purpose. We mount the “regular” QR2 onto our Podium Hub. While mounting and dismounting a QR on the wheel side at Fanatec isn’t rocket science, we still recommend taking a moment to watch the YouTube video. It’s better to be safe than sorry! In some cases (often with older steering wheels), you may need to replace the metal plate on the connector with a thicker plastic one. We don’t need to do this because all our steering wheels already have the plastic plate. We simply need to loosen six bolts, remove QR1, install QR2, and then tighten the six bolts again. Now, our steering wheels are also ready for use.
Placing the steering wheel on the wheelbase is a piece of cake. By pulling the QR2 on the steering wheel backward, placing it over the QR2 on the wheelbase, releasing it, and pushing until it clicks into place. That’s all there is to it! On the Podium Wheelbases, changing a steering wheel is always quite tricky because the entire assembly slides over a rubber part on the shaft, and then you clamp it by tightening a ring behind it, causing the rubber to expand in the QR1. It’s definitely secure and free of play. When you want to change a steering wheel, you first need to loosen a ring, causing the rubber to relax, allowing you to pull the steering wheel off. However, this isn’t always straightforward because the rubber often gets stuck in the QR1. Although this system works fine when used correctly, the QR2 system is truly a breath of fresh air. With the QR2 system, we can simply click the steering wheel on or off with a single motion.
For reassurance, we double-check if we have installed the latest versions of the Fanatec Drivers and Fanalab and whether there are any updates available for our equipment. We noticed that once we mounted the QR2 system, it is also reflected in the software. Although this doesn’t affect functionality, we certainly appreciate it. After updating everything to the latest versions, we are ready to hit the track with the QR2 system.
We’ve previously emphasized that the QR2 system is truly a breath of fresh air, especially due to the ease with which we can now swap steering wheels. We don’t notice any play once the components are connected, even during racing. Contrary to common claims, we have never experienced any play with the QR1 system either, because we always used it correctly and always mounted the locking bolt. In terms of driving, the QR2 system doesn’t feel any different to us than the QR1 system when used on our Podium DD2 Wheelbase. Additionally, the QR2 system is exceptionally quiet. With the QR1 system, the bearings and sleeve can sometimes become a bit noisy, resulting in a characteristic “clunk” sound while driving, especially when experiencing higher force feedback. The QR2 simply remains silent, which is great. Maintenance with the QR2 system is reduced to almost zero. While with the QR1 system, you occasionally had to grease the bearings, with the QR2 system, this is not necessary. Wiping it down every now and then is sufficient.
The difference in wheel-side QR2s is minimal in our experience. We notice little difference in use between the Pro and non-Pro as well as the Lite versions. With the Lite variant, the high-torque mode doesn’t work on a Podium Wheelbase, leaving us limited to the wheelbase’s restricted power, making a fair comparison difficult. We believe the Lite works well, especially on CSL (QR2 Type C) wheelbases. Although the Pro and non-Pro differ in material and production process, we only see superficial differences and prefer the fully black non-Pro variant, which is also half the price. If you’re truly hitting the track, the Pro has an FIA certification, and you can use it with the Podium BMW M4 GT3 steering wheel in a real BMW M4 GT3 race car. However, as we’ve mentioned in our Podium BMW M4 GT3 steering wheel review, most sim racers don’t have an actual BMW M4 GT3 in their garage.
Conclusion
The upgrade to the QR2 system, in our opinion, is a breath of fresh air and, in most cases, definitely worth it. Not only do you have a play-free connection between the steering wheel and wheelbase, but it also saves a lot of extra steps, especially with the Podium wheelbase, during a steering wheel change, which is definitely worth the investment for us.
We don’t notice any play once the components are connected, even during racing. Furthermore, the QR2 system doesn’t produce any additional noises, unlike the QR1 system, which sometimes made quite a bit of noise. In terms of maintenance, the QR2 system is reduced to almost zero; a wipe down now and then should suffice.
The differences between the wheel-side QR2s are minimal, with little distinction in use between the Pro, non-Pro, and Lite versions. While the Pro comes with an FIA certification, making it suitable for real racing use, the non-Pro variant, apart from the FIA certification, offers the same functionality at lower costs. The Lite version seems particularly suitable for CSL wheelbases.
Is the QR2 system a huge leap forward? No, in terms of usage, it’s not the case for us! Is it a problem that the QR2 system isn’t a massive leap forward in this regard? No, absolutely not! The QR2 system mainly makes things easier for those who frequently swap steering wheels or are tired of the noise from the QR1 system. If you’re a sim racer who rarely changes steering wheels and is satisfied with the QR1 system, you can safely skip this upgrade. Additionally, the QR1 system will remain available for a while, so an upgrade is certainly not mandatory. Fanatec will keep the QR1 system available during the transition period. According to Fanatec, this period lasts 1 to 2 years, but if the phase-out takes as long as the release of the QR2 system, you’ll be fine for a while.
If after reading our review, you are excited and considering upgrading to the QR2 system? You can find it in the Fanatec webshop. The QR Base-Side (Type M), suitable for Podium Wheelbases, costs €149.99. The QR2 Pro Wheel-Side is priced at €199.95, while the non-Pro version is available for €99.95. The QR2 Lite Wheel-Side is priced at €59.95. Additionally, there are various bundles available for purchase with a nice discount.
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