Not Just Another Wheel
This isn’t just another high-end option on the market. The Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Ultimate is the wheel Team Redline chooses to train with. That’s a statement in itself.
We tested it with a Simucube 2 Pro, logging time in both iRacing and Le Mans Ultimate. It didn’t just impress us. It challenged what we thought a sim racing wheel could deliver.
Right out of the box, the Artura Ultimate makes its presence known. The 300mm CNC-machined aluminum chassis is all business. No carbon fiber, and frankly, it doesn’t need it. The aluminum gives the wheel a planted, purposeful weight without tipping into fatigue territory during longer sessions.
The rubber grips are molded, not wrapped. They’re firm, non-slip, and durable enough to hold their form under pressure. Whether you’re racing barehanded or in gloves, they stay predictable, and that predictability matters.
Feature Breakdown: Everything You Need
Let’s not mince words—this sim racing wheel is loaded.
Controls Overview:
- 14 laser-engraved push buttons
- 4 thumb encoders
- 2 multifunction joysticks (tilt, rotate, and press)
- 2 twelve-step rotary dials
- Magnetic paddle shifters
- Dual clutch paddles
That gives you over 100 customizable input combinations, which makes this one of the most versatile sim wheels for GT racing, endurance, or even open-wheel disciplines.
The magnetic shifters are crisp and tactile, without being obnoxiously loud. The clutch paddles engage smoothly, ideal for race starts or manual pit entries.
And the buttons? They’re not mushy. Each click has deliberate, tactile resistance. It’s the kind of feel that inspires confidence mid-race when you’re operating by muscle memory.
Display & Dash: A Visual Powerhouse
Front and center sits a 4-inch built-in display, framed by 21 RGB shift LEDs. If you use SimHub, you’re in luck the Artura Ultimate is officially integrated, with plug-and-play support.
We tested it with both SimHub dashboards and the excellent Lovely Dashboards pack. Both worked flawlessly, but Lovely stood out for its functionality and polish.
What can you see?
- Sector deltas
- Tire temps & pressure
- Lap time comparisons
- Track maps
- Position in standings
- Your own name/logo (because… style matters)
One of the standout features is auto-switching dashboards. Fire up iRacing or Le Mans Ultimate, and the display adapts to each sim no need to tweak profiles every time.
If you want a sim racing wheel with built-in display, this is easily one of the best executions on the market.
Installation: Plug. Play. Race.
This might be a high-end wheel, but setup is refreshingly simple.
You connect via USB, load up SimHub, and download the Artura Ultimate profile. That’s it. No weird firmware. No drivers from obscure websites. You’ll go from unboxing to racing in under 10 minutes.
For newcomers or racers who swap rigs often, that ease of use makes a big difference.
On Track: Force Feedback That Talks Back
We paired the McLaren Artura Ultimate with a Simucube 2 Pro, one of the community’s most popular direct drive wheelbases. The result? Pure connection.
This sim racing wheel doesn’t dampen or filter your force feedback it translates it. You feel road texture, kerb strike, and lateral load exactly as intended. It’s not just immersive, it’s informative. Like telemetry for your fingers.
From GT3s in Le Mans Ultimate to prototypes and Mazda MX-5s in iRacing, the feedback was clear, crisp, and responsive.
⚠️ Caveat: This isn’t the best pick for rally or drifting. The flat shape isn’t ideal for quick countersteering. If that’s your thing, a round wheel with a different rim is the better choice.
Use Case Fit: Who Should Buy This?
The Ascher Racing McLaren Artura Ultimate is firmly in the premium sim racing wheel category. At around $1,500 USD, it’s not cheap, and it doesn’t pretend to be.
Who it’s for:
- Sim racers looking to upgrade from mid-tier gear (Fanatec CSL DD, Simagic Alpha Mini, etc.)
- Drivers who race endurance, GT, or open-wheel formats
- Those who want a one-and-done purchase—no upgrade itch for years
But if you do go for it? You probably won’t need another wheel for the next five years.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If you’re shopping for the best sim racing wheel with a built-in dashboard, or a direct drive-compatible GT wheel that does it all,this is a top-tier choice.
- Exceptional build
- Deep input customization
- Clean software experience
- Fantastic tactile feedback
- Trusted by pros
It’s not just another sim racing accessory. It’s a piece of competitive-grade hardware, and if you can afford it, the McLaren Artura Ultimate lives up to its name.
TL;DR
| Feature | Summary |
| Build Quality | CNC aluminum. Feels premium. |
| Controls | 100+ input combos with buttons, rotaries, and paddles. |
| Display | 4” SimHub dashboard with dynamic switching. |
| Compatibility | USB-powered. Works seamlessly with SimHub. |
| Best Use | GT3, prototypes, endurance sims. |
| Price | ~$1,500 USD |
FULL VIDEO REVIEW
Want to see the wheel in action? Check out the full video review, where we put the Artura Ultimate through its paces across multiple sims, dive deeper into its tactile feedback, and walk through the SimHub dashboard in real-time. You’ll get a closer look at the build, button response, and exactly how the display adapts per sim, no cutaways, no fluff, just raw footage and honest commentary. If you’re on the fence, this is where theory meets track time.
