Simucube has made a name for itself in the sim-racing industry as the best choice for racers seeking total immersion. In fact, the manufacturer equips many motorsport teams with simulators, which speaks volumes for the sensations provided by Simucube products.

This brand is premium in the segment, offering high-end peripherals that don’t know the definition of the word “compromise”. The manufacturer’s customer portfolio is admittedly small compared to other brands, but these customers are less inclined to consider the price of Simucube products, and are there purely for the sensations, realism and immersion.

Among the peripherals made available by Simucube, we have 3 Direct Drive bases ranging from 17 nm torque to 32 nm. When you see this, it’s easy to understand why motorsport teams choose Simucube first and foremost, as this manufacturer mainly develops peripherals to reduce the gap between virtual and reality. In what follows, we take a look at Simucube’s smallest base, the 2 Sport.

Main and technical characteristics of the base

• DD base developing 17 nm of torque
• Compatible with wireless steering wheels
• 22-bit angle sensor
• 8 kg weight
• Compatible with PCs and the entire Simucube ecosystem
• Max. steering torque of 4.8 nm per second
• 360 Hz Force Feedback on iRacing
• Full metal structure

Base design

Visually, the Simucube 2 Sport is identical to the 2 Pro, and these are quite similar to the 2 Ultimate, but smaller. The 2 Sport is a full-length base, with an all-black body and white brand logos on the sides and front.

Speaking of design, it’s minimalist, very sober and beautiful as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, a DD base isn’t really meant to be visually appreciated, because you’re going to install it on your setup and it’ll be hidden by a steering wheel. And if it turns out to be beautiful, well, that’s a plus.

Customized assembly

The Simucube 2 Sport uses the same mounting system as the brand’s other bases, namely a front-mounting pattern with 4 screws, which are supplied in the DD base box. To mount the 2 Sport on a cockpit, and yes, it can only be used on a chassis because of its 17 nm torque, you’ll need a rig with the Front Mount for Simucube. Be careful when choosing a cockpit, as there are different decks accommodating different bases that are not compatible with all peripherals on the market. And if you end up with the wrong deck, you’ll have to order the right one, or buy a specific mount for Simucube bases.

Let’s talk a little about mounting the base. As I’ve just said, there are 4 screws on the front of the base, and it’s easier to assemble than the 2 Pro for the simple reason that the 2 Sport is lighter, weighing just 8 kg on the scale. As a result, you can align the base with one hand, and start attaching it with the other without too much trouble.

Manufacturing and finishing

Simucube is active in the premium sim-racing segment, and its products follow suit in terms of build quality and finish. The 2 Sport features an all-metal cabinet, even though this is Simucube’s entry-level model.

The whole thing is machined with top-quality CNC machines, eliminating any sharp edges or burrs on the base. Even the Quick Release and driveshaft are superbly crafted on this device.

The finish is exemplary in every respect. Whether it’s the paintwork, the assembly of the various base parts, the rear labels or the rest of the product, the 2 Sport is just beautifully finished. Simucube no longer really needs to prove itself in terms of product finish, and this is immediately apparent when you pick up the 2 Sport.

Mounting the handwheels on the base

This base uses Simucube’s familiar Quick Release system, in which the flywheel is inserted into a downward groove and secured with a pin. The Finnish brand’s solution is very solid, eliminating play on the drive shaft. Once the flywheel is in place, it won’t move at all, even if you have a wheel that weighs a fair bit all the same.

However, the operation of coupling the wheel to the base through Simucube’s QR is not really quick to do, especially if you’re a racer with several steering wheels who loves to take part in different motorsport disciplines during a sim-racing session. Asetek SimSports uses a QR similar to Simucube’s, but exploits a spring-loaded tab to secure the steering wheel to the driveshaft, instead of a pin.

Sensations during play

In sim-racing, there’s a reputation that precedes Simucube products, and it’s an excellent one to say the least.

On a GT or Formula-type setup, the 2 Sport is quite simply one of the best Direct Drive bases I’ve tested in years of sim-racing. Adjusting its power and all its settings is child’s play, allowing you to fully exploit the base’s torque and in-game performance, even if it only develops “17 nm of torque”. In practice, the 2 Sport is more than enough to satisfy all seasoned iRacing or Assetto Corsa drivers.

In terms of feel, the little Simucube base is very communicative, with 2 facets to its personality: gentle and benevolent, taking care not to scare you or hurt you, but still providing excellent sensations and feedback-rich force feedback. And then there’s her fiery side, which comes into its own as you get to know her better, with much better sensations in absolute terms, and above all much more angry feedback.

With the 2 Sport, you’ll feel everything the car in front of you experiences. Whether it’s jolts, road irregularities, differences in road surface or bumps, the 2 Sport is a basic car that speaks to you in simple language, and very rich in words too. It’s perfectly bilingual, making itself understood in every conceivable situation, and also expressing what’s on its mind without filter.

Base compatibility

The Simucube 2 Sport is only compatible with Windows PCs. This is understandable, and also normal, since all but a few of the major sim-racing titles are exclusive to this platform.

Of course, the 2 Sport is fully compatible with Simucube’s ecosystem and other products, including the brand’s steering wheels and crankset, but you can also use this base with products from other racing manufacturers.

Value for money

The Simucube 2 Sport retails for around €1,300 on the brand’s website, and you can find it for less at some online retailers. Its build quality is exemplary, perfect in every respect, and the sensations it delivers are excellent, despite a lower torque than its big sister, the 2 Pro.

My verdict on Simucube’s Base 2 Sport

Like the Simucube 2 Pro, the 2 Sport is an excellent Direct Drive base, even better for experienced players who don’t need more than 20 nm of torque.

This little base is versatile, high-performance, premium and relatively well positioned in relation to the competition. Apart from the QR system, which I don’t really like, especially if you have several wheels (although Simucube doesn’t offer that many in real life), the 2 Sport is a base that I can wholeheartedly recommend to all players who want to go upmarket and treat themselves to a real gem of a sensation.