Sim-Lab has opened pre-orders for its first two direct-drive wheelbases, and the specs are impressive: 39 Nm for the DDS39 at 1,999 euros, more than the 35 Nm advertised by the Simucube 3 Ultimate, and 26 Nm for the DDS26 at 1,499 euros. The real story, however, lies elsewhere. Both wheelbases run on a 350-volt internal bus, whereas virtually all high-end models make do with 48 volts, and this choice explains almost everything else in their spec sheets.

What the 350 V Really Changes

Specifically, this bus delivers 25 A on the DDS26 and 40 A on the DDS39. If you come across the names DD26 and DD39, they refer to the same machines: the manufacturer alternates between the two spellings on its own website.

The brand’s explanation boils down to one concept: the voltage margin. When the motor spins fast, it generates a back-EMF that increases with speed, and a controller can only supply current if it remains above that level. At 48 V, torque at low speeds is achieved by supplying a high current, but the reserve is depleted sooner and transitions slow down. With 350 V, there’s enough headroom left to push current instantly when the wheel changes direction. Sim-Lab presents this as a trade-off, not an advantage: faster transients, but a significantly larger power supply.

For a brand that sells aluminum profile frames and just about everything that bolts onto them, this is a clear shift in direction. Sim-Lab didn’t go it alone: the technical side isn’t handled by Sim-Lab but by SOLO Motorcontrollers, an Italian specialist in motor control. Sim-Lab provided the specifications, the passthrough, and the quick-release mechanism; production takes place in Italy. The same industrial ethos is evident in the technical specifications: an industrial-grade SPMSM brushless motor and STO (safe torque off) as standard features, a rarity in consumer-grade equipment. Both wheelbases were already on display at the SimRacing Expo in October 2025.

Direct consequence: the power supply goes inside the wheelbase

That large power supply had to go somewhere. Sim-Lab explains that for power ratings above 500 to 600 W, there are no suitable consumer-grade external power supplies available, only bulky, noisy industrial units. So everything is built-in: 1,500 W peak on the DDS26, 2,500 W on the DDS39, with a single 110/240 VAC mains connection.

The price you pay shows up on the scales: 11.1 kg and 13.5 kg. In exchange, you get a single cable and no external box to hide under the rig. It can be mounted on side rails or as a front mount, and features an industrial slip ring that can be replaced from the front panel.

The Torque That Doesn’t Fade, and How It’s Delivered

The other key promise concerns long-term performance. Many wheelbases see their torque drop as temperatures rise, with force feedback that dulls toward the end of a stint. Sim-Lab takes the opposite approach: maximum torque is maintained for as long as the car is running. This is made possible by the integrated active cooling system.

In terms of feel, the philosophy hasn’t changed since the first demos: don’t manufacture force feedback, but rather translate the game’s signal as faithfully as possible, even if that means filtering it afterward. Keep the small details genuinely small so that the big hits still hit hard. The DSP loop running at over 100 kHz and the 24-bit encoder, with its 16.7 million steps per revolution, serve this purpose, as does RaceDirector and its real-time force feedback telemetry.

Pre-orders have been open since August 1

In terms of pricing, the DDS26 is listed at 1,499 euros and the DDS39 at 1,999 euros, including 21% Dutch VAT. The final price is then adjusted based on the country of delivery. These prices do not include the quick-release mount, except for the Founders Edition.

This Founders Edition kicks things off: numbered units, a special engraving, the new Xero-Play V2 quick release, and a collector’s booklet. The passthrough port delivers 2,500 mA at 5 V, compared to 500 mA on a standard USB port.

Reservations are made with a refundable deposit; shipments are sent from Sim-Lab’s European hub, and bundles with Sim-Lab’s own chassis will arrive after the launch. The approach is consistent and, frankly, interesting to follow. All that’s left is seat time before passing judgment.