When it comes to high-end sim racing hardware, few products bridge the gap between virtual racing and real motorsport as strongly as the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 steering wheel. Inspired by the wheel of the real McLaren GT4 race car and produced with the same dedication and materials, this is a product that immediately raises high expectations.

During my visit to Sim Formula Europe in Maastricht, I struck up a conversation with the Ascher Racing team. What started as an enthusiastic exchange of experiences led to a collaboration in which I get to test the full range and reviewen. The Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 is the first wheel in that series - and fair is fair: it is an instant standout. Not just because of its iconic design and official McLaren licence, but mainly because this wheel is essentially identical to the wheel from the real McLaren Artura GT4 race car. So this is not just a replica - it is the real wheel.

But how good is it really? Is it more than a nice-looking piece of engineering? And most importantly, is it the right wheel for you? In this comprehensive Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 Review I take you from unboxing to specifications and my honest experience during race sessions, with all the details and nuances that matter. I'll give you my honest and objective opinion so you can make an informed choice. Let's go!

Unboxing: functional, solid and with a focus on simplicity

One of the fun parts of sim racing hardware reviewen is the unboxing. The moment you open the box often says a lot about the care with which a product has been put together. The packaging of the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 is sleek and functional: featuring clear product photos and understated branding - exactly what you would expect from a brand like Ascher.

Interestingly, the steering wheel is wrapped in plastic, where I personally would have preferred a foam mould. Functional it certainly is, but it looks a bit less premium. Fortunately, this does not detract from the steering wheel itself. Beneath the top layer, the steering wheel immediately comes into view: centrally positioned, tightly secured. The white edge of the top packaging visually flows neatly into the steering wheel - a detail that has been visibly thought through.

Picking up the handlebars is confirmation of the first impression. The aluminium body is robust, the weight (about 1,300g) inspires confidence and the rubber grips feel good right away - stiff, sturdy and without any play.

In the compartments around the steering wheel, we find the accessories. Everything is neatly and logically packed. The Binder USB cable feels heavy and industrial - built for years of heavy use. The included button caps are sleekly lasered and feature bright icons. And for those who love visual flair: a McLaren sticker sheet isn't missing either.

In summary, you will find the following in the box:

• Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 steering wheel (USB version)
• Industrial, shielded and crimped Binder M16 USB cable
• Additional USB extension cable
• Short USB-C to USB-C cable
• McLaren sticker set
• Set of interchangeable button caps
• Bag of M5 x 35 mm mon1TP3Screws
• Tool bag (Allen spanners)

Price of the Ascher Racing Mclaren Artura GT4

What does the Ascher Racing Mclaren Artura GT4? With a recommended retail price of €799, the McLaren Artura GT4 is in the upper to premium price segment. And rightly so. Because although this wheel has no screen or extra clutch paddles, the finish, choice of materials and technical precision is of a level rarely seen. The whole handlebar breathes quality.

You don't buy this wheel because it offers the most buttons or features, but because it establishes a racing experience that is extremely close to reality. The price is hefty, but if GT racing is your focus and you value precision, build quality and realism, this is an investment that will pay off in years of consistent driving enjoyment. What's more, are you a McLaren fan or passionate about GT4 or GT3 cars? Then this wheel is definitely worth considering.

Montage and installation - simple in theory, careful in practice

Although the installation is pretty straightforward in theory, I - in all honesty - still managed to make a problem of it. And that was entirely down to me. In my impatience and without calmly reading through the manual first, I set about assembling the Simucube 2 Quick Release. Not recommended 😉 Tip: so read the manual carefully first.

The handlebar's montage goes as you would expect with high-end hardware: solid, but with a few points of interest. The wheel uses a standard 3 x 50 mm bolt pattern and comes with matching M5 screws. This makes it compatible with almost all common ecosystems - think Simucube, Asetek, Simagic, VRS and Fanatec (provided it is converted to a suitable QR system).

The handlebar uses a 50.8 mm bolt pattern with through holes. You have to open the handlebars to attach the - in my case Simucube 2 Quick Release - directly, i.e. without the 6×70 adapter. There's a reason for this: McLaren wanted the rotaries positioned higher than usual. This left no room for a standard 6×70 cartridge. Ascher Racing therefore opted for this solution, partly because Martin Ascher himself is not a fan of spacers. Personally, I disagree. I still miss a bit of extra distance from the base. In my setup, the wheel felt just a bit too close, so a small 50mm spacer would actually improve the ergonomics.

Take care when mounting a Quick Release

No paper manual is included, but fortunately you can find one online. Take some time to read carefully how to install the QR - that will prevent unnecessary damage. I did suffer one: when dismantling the steering wheel (to install the QR), the industrial Binder USB connector broke off. Simply because I unscrewed the back plate while the Binder nut was still in place.

The connector on the back - where the curly cable connects - is crucial for the board to work properly. The USB-C connection itself works fine, but without that coiled connector you have nothing on the wheel. Fortunately, Ascher Racing was quick to jump in: I got immediate help and it was solved without fuss. Big thanks for that!

Plug-and-play

Installation is otherwise plug-and-play. Windows immediately recognises the wheel and communication via USB is stable and fast. Although Ascher has its own software, you can configure all lights, encoders and functions via SimHub. But more on that later!

Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4

What makes the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 special? And what's on it and how is the steering wheel built? You can read below what makes this steering wheel unique and why it is more than just a pretty exterior.

Official McLaren GT4 steering wheel

What makes this wheel immediately unique is that it is officially licensed by McLaren and is actually identical to the wheel used in the real McLaren Artura GT4 race car. So you can't get any closer to real motorsport.

It is not a replica that only visually resembles the original, but the exact steering wheel - both in terms of shape, dimensions (300 mm), and layout of buttons and functions. This ensures not only an impressive visual experience, but above all a direct functional translation from real-world motorsport to sim racing. As a result, the wheel seamlessly matches the needs of sim racers looking for authenticity, realism and a professional experience behind the wheel. And be honest: how cool is that?

High-quality construction

The handlebar's construction speaks volumes about the standard of quality that Ascher Racing maintains. The frame is fully CNC-machined from high-quality aluminium normally used in the automotive sector. The finish consists of a matte black anodisation, combined with finely laser-engraved markings.

The front has a brushed surface that exudes luxury and technical sophistication, while the gear shifters have a glass-blown texture for optimal grip and comfort. This combination of materials and finish makes the wheel not only visually appealing, but also durable, rigid and resistant to heavy use - ideal for endurance racing or demanding sim rigs with lots of force feedback. The steering wheel feels tremendously solid and sturdy, something I am hugely impressed with!

Personalisation: stickers and button caps

A fun and practical addition to the steering wheel is the possibility of personalisation. Ascher supplies a set of high-quality laser-etched button caps as standard, which are pre-mounted on the illuminated buttons. With the included tool, you can easily replace these for alternative caps, should you want a different layout or look. The system is intuitive and you don't need to unscrew the handlebar to do so.

There is also a sticker sheet in the box that allows you to label the thumb encoders and rotary switches. Functional and visually subtle, these stickers help you quickly recognise settings such as ABS, TC or Brake Bias. Especially in combination with SimHub lighting, this makes for an uncluttered and personalised layout that you can completely tailor to your preferences and sim setups.

RGB buttons with tactile feedback

Central to the user experience of the Artura GT4 handlebar are the ten high-quality RGB push buttons that you can easily control with your thumb. These buttons, derived from the automotive industry, deliver tactile and consistent feedback with every push movement and produce a nice 'click' sound. This makes them perfectly usable in all conditions - even with sim racing gloves or during nervous situations in a race.

Each button is individually illuminated and supports a colour spectrum of as many as 16 million colours. Via SimHub, the buttons are fully configurable, including animations and telemetry-assisted lighting effects. Tip; use the beautiful profiles of Daniel Newman Racing And bring your Artura GT4 to life with visually appealing profiles!

Thanks to interchangeable laser-etched button caps - featuring motorsport icons - you customise the layout that best suits your racing needs. I personally find this a relief! No more hassle with stickers that come off over time. A fantastic and innovative solution from Ascher Racing!

Two 12-position encoders

In the centre of the wheel are two solid 12-way rotary encoders. These are ideally placed for quick adjustments to crucial race settings such as brake bias, traction control, engine map or differential settings. I use them for TC and ABS as the engraving also indicates. While I think this is fine, somewhere I miss the flexibility to make my own interpretation of this. Using an encoder with a 'TC' marking for brake bias? That feels like swearing in church to me. That visual link is strong, and therefore hard to let go of.

Every click otherwise feels firm, precise and reliable. The tactile feedback is such that you feel confident adjusting settings as you go around the track at full speed. The placement of the rotaries is deliberately chosen high up on the wheel, so they are highly visible and easily accessible without losing your grip on the wheel.

Magnetic paddle shifters

The included Gen6 magnetic paddle shifters belong to the sixth generation of Ascher's proprietary motorsport design. They have been completely revised and developed for the most direct shifting experience possible. Machined from solid aluminium, fitted with preloaded ball bearings and completely silent thanks to rubber damping.

The shifters use hall-effect sensors instead of mechanical switches, ensuring virtually endless life and error-free shifting. Every click feels convincing and controlled - without any backlash or mechanical play. The feedback is similar to that of a real GT racing wheel, says Ascher Racing.

The paddles themselves are ergonomically shaped and quite large, making them comfortable to hold with every shift. The click is not only tangible, but also audible: the subtle, muffled 'clack' sounds like music to your ears and is one of the better shifter sounds. Especially if you compare it to the sound of the Cube Controls F-Core and GT-X2, which I personally don't like as much. It is that kind of detail that adds to the feel and experience of sim racing which I personally find very important.

Guards and ergonomics

What else stands out is the attention to finish. All push buttons have button guards - raised edges around the buttons - that prevent you from accidentally pressing them during intensive steering movements or in the heat of battle. Not only handy, but therefore functional and aesthetic as well.

Handlebar ergonomics have been further refined with rubber grips that feel firm and non-slip. Even during long stints or sweaty hands, you maintain full control over your handlebars. The closed shape of the handlebar adds to safety and offers a solid sense of control, without distractions.

Design and grip

The handlebar design is based on a closed 'butterfly' layout, as also used in many modern GT handlebars and as seen in the popular GRID MPX V2 and Cube Controls F-Core EVO & F-Pro. This shape not only ensures maximum rigidity and robustness, but also makes the handlebars particularly suitable for long races where stability and control are essential.

The handles feature high-quality rubber with a fine texture, which ensures plenty of grip, even when sweaty hands or using sim racing gloves. The Mclaren Artura GT4 steering wheel sits fantastically and firmly in the hand. The material feels comfortable but resolute: there is hardly any movement in it and it dampens vibrations effectively, leaving you with a direct but cushioned connection to your car.

Software

The Artura GT4 wheel supports both SimHub and Ascher's own Control Center software. Both platforms offer unique features to fully customise the wheel - whether you want quick configuration or detailed tweaking.

SimHub

In practice, I mainly use SimHub. If you want to get everything out of the illuminated buttons, this is actually indispensable. The software costs a few euros (from €6.99), but is worth every penny. You can choose from static profiles where you set colours yourself, or a dynamic profile with preset effects. The basic functionality is simple, but once you work with it a little longer, a world of personalisation opens up.

For example, when you switch on the pit limiter, the lighting changes automatically. DRS activates a different colour effect, you see whether you are entering or exiting, and you can even configure a start-up animation. Buttons also temporarily light up when activated. This feedback not only makes it visually appealing, but also gives you important information without having to look at a HUD.

There are also excellent profiles available within the SimHub community, such as those of Daniel Newman Racing or Lovely Sim Racing. These profiles take the visual aspect to the next level and make full use of the handlebar's RGB lighting and status messages.

What I personally appreciate is that you can fully customise the wheel to your own preferences: lighting, button functionality - it's all adjustable via a clear interface. For more technical settings like the encoder pulse width, you're more likely to reach for Ascher's own Control Centre.

Ascher Racing Control Center

In addition to SimHub, Ascher Racing also has its own software: the Ascher Racing Control Center. This tool focuses on technical settings such as dual clutch, encoder settings and button assignments. Useful if you want to adjust details without fuss, with clear information on the wheel and clear instructions.

What makes it special is that you can set many of these functions directly on the wheel even without software. For instance, you can fine-tune the clutch's bite point with the joysticks and calibrate the clutch simply by holding down the right buttons while moving the pedals. You can also adjust the analogue axle mode (Gas & Brake or Dual Clutch) via a combination of buttons.

Want to return to factory settings? Then simply hold down the reset button while connecting the steering wheel to your PC. In short: the Control Centre is ideal for those who want to quickly and purposefully adjust their steering wheel in detail, without depending on external software.

User experience: a handlebar that knows its place

The Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 feels familiar from the very first moment. During my test sessions with Assetto Corsa Competizione, Automobilista 2 and RaceRoom Experience, it was immediately noticeable how natural the steering wheel feels in the hand. The rubber grips provide excellent grip and the whole thing feels solid and balanced. No creaks, no flex - this wheel is built like a tank, with a full aluminium housing that exudes confidence.

The two 12-way rotary switches contribute to a real motorsport feel. They click firmly and are pleasantly accessible with your thumbs. But most of all, it looks super motorsport-like. In practice, I use them for TC and ABS, for example, and while this works fine, I do miss the ability to use them in a different way. Using a TC encoder for brake bias? Psychologically difficult for me. And that's precisely where it sometimes falters a bit.

Less = more. But does it? Personally, I miss features like thumb encoders or funky switches - especially as I often use them to quickly navigate menus or dashboards. Yes, they aren't on the real wheel either, but in sim racing they do come in handy. Compared to a wheel like the GRID MPX V2, which does offer these extras, the Artura GT4 wheel feels a bit basic in that sense. Especially for those used to complex endurance or prototype cars - like I often drive in GT3, LMP2 and hypercars - it feels a bit lacking.

I find the back a bit busy with all the stickers, serial numbers and other markings. As a result, it looks a bit cluttered, which is a shame considering the steering wheel's otherwise sleek design. Also, it is good to know that you can upgrade the GT4 wheel with extra clutch paddles. Highly recommended if you want more control at race starts or pit exits.

And yet... as soon as you switch to cars for which this wheel was designed, it suddenly makes complete sense. In the McLaren Artura GT4 in ACC or when racing older DTM or touring cars in RaceRoom, this wheel comes into its own. Everything feels natural, intuitive and effective. In scenarios like that, "less is more" suddenly makes perfect sense. It makes riding purer, more focused and, above all, more fun.

So the wheel is not necessarily an all-rounder, but it is perfect within its domain. The Artura GT4 only really feels finished when you combine it with a Zens Simwheels SimDash Elite dashboard - the two complement each other perfectly and enhance the overall experience in your sim rig.Looking for a wheel for GT4s, classics, touring or GT cars? Then this wheel is a delight. Are you expecting maximum functionality for multi-class endurance? Then there are more complete alternatives available.

Advantages and disadvantages

As with any product, there are strengths as well as areas of concern. Below is an overview of the main pros and cons of the Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 steering wheel.

Conclusion: specialist with character

The Ascher Racing McLaren Artura GT4 is not a wheel for everyone - which is exactly what makes it so good. It is a steering wheel that stays true to its roots: the real GT4 steering wheel from the McLaren Artura race car. The build quality is unsurpassed, the ergonomics are right down to the last detail and the instant feedback via buttons, rotaries and shifters makes every drive an experience.

Still, the wheel feels a bit more limited in functionality than some other high-end sim racing wheels in this price range. There are no thumb encoders or funky switches, and those looking for a wheel for endurance racing or multi-class competitions may lack that little bit of extra control. In that sense, this is not an all-rounder, but rather a specialist wheel for those who know what they are looking for: a pure, no-nonsense GT experience.

Using this wheel in its natural habitat - GT4s, touring cars and classic racers - is truly enjoyable. The combination of look, finish and performance makes the wheel inviting to race every time.

Yet I have to be honest: for me personally, it just isn't it. I had a lot of fun with it, but time and again I noticed that I missed a number of functionalities I often use in the cars I mainly drive.

As good as the wheel is in terms of build quality and finish, and as much fun as I've had with it - if I had to choose between Ascher Racing's various McLaren wheels, I'd rather save up for the Pro or Ultimate variant. For the right target group, this is a fantastic wheel. The final score of 4.3 from 5 reflects exactly that feeling: a wheel with outstanding build quality, good ergonomics and a thoughtful design of a real GT4 Mclaren. So the Artura GT4 is technically excellent, but for my intended use, it just lacks that extra layer of functionality. For me personally, it is just not enough.