Fanatec QR2

octobre 20 2023, par Alex Myastan, 11 min temps de lecture

Learn how this updated QR system addresses previous challenges, its FIA-approval, and what it means for your current setup. Whether you're considering an upgrade or just staying informed, this is your comprehensive guide to QR2.

What to Look for in a QR System? ▲

A Quick Release (QR) system is an integral component in sim racing that ensures the seamless connection between the steering wheel and the base. Here's what one should consider:

• Construction: The construction quality directly impacts the rigidity and accuracy of the force feedback. A solid QR system minimizes flex, ensuring you get the truest feel of the sim-racing experience. The design should also consider the long-term durability, ensuring that it won't wear out quickly.
• Ease of Use: A QR system should be user-friendly, allowing for quick wheel changes and secure attachment. The installation process should be straightforward, without requiring specialized tools or expertise.
• Compatibility: A versatile QR system can adapt to various wheelbases and steering wheels within its brand. The more universal, the better, especially if it has cross-brand compatibility. If a new QR system is released, like in this case, then backwards compatibility is also of concern.

Why did Fanatec Make the QR2? ▲

Fanatec's design for the QR2 was prompted by the growing need for a more robust and reliable quick release system, especially with the increasing strength of wheelbases in the market. The original QR1 system, released in 2011, has had issues of flex and even broken pins. In designing the QR2, Fanatec aimed to address these concerns while ensuring backward compatibility with the plethora of products they have already released. This new original mechanism, which saw its debut in the 2022 BMW M4 GT3, was further refined for sim racing and future motorsport applications.

Have They Delivered? ▲

Yup, they have. They’ve addressed the core issue of flex, which is now on par with the leaders of the market. Them having the QR system FIA-Approved is as clear a sign as you can get that this system is robust, but note that is for the QR2 Pro only. There are two other options, the QR2 (Standard), with similar quality to the Pro, and the QR2 Lite, which is made from a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic composite. The latter is probably best suited for low torque wheelbases. 

The QR system is also very easy to use once installed. It’s quick and easy to add and remove wheels with the system, and the Pro and Standard options have a noticeably smooth feel when connecting.

Table: The three QR2 wheel-side options.

Compatibility ▲

The QR2 is NOT compatible with the QR1, but they have made many of the older products upgradeable, both steering wheels and wheelbases. Many of the steering wheels can be upgraded (see compatibility table below), but for the bases, only the CSL DD, GT DD, DD1 and DD2 are compatible. 

One concern with the backwards compatibility is that the base-side QR comes with a torque specification, i.e. how tight the bolts need to be screwed in, but they don’t provide a torque gauge. (Note this is different from the wheelbase’s torque, that is unrelated.) Also note that there are two types of base-side QR systems (see table below).

For those people that use Fanatec with other brands, the Podium Hub can also be upgraded to the QR2 system.

Table: The QR2 base-side options

Transition Period ▲

Fanatec will transition from the QR1 to the QR2 quick-release system over the next 1-2 years, spanning its entire range, including the CSL, ClubSport, and Podium series. In the meantime you can upgrade your system, although it will cost over €100 for the QR2 Lite Bundle.

Upgradeable Steering Wheels: QR2 Backwards Compatibility ▲

Upgradeable Wheel Bases: QR2 Backwards Compatibility ▲

Products and Bundles Currently on Fanatec ▲

Click here to visit the Fanatec store for QR2 products.

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SIMPLACE KNOWLEDGE BASE ▲

We aim to create a comprehensive repository to help you make your sim racing gear decisions. Check out some of our other detailed articles:

> A Beginner's Guide to a Sim Racing Setup: This article provides an overview of your entire setup.

> Best Sim Racing Cockpits: This article recommends the top ten cockpits for all budgets and compares ~70% of all the cockpits on the market in a simple table.

> The Wheel Base Guide: A comparison of every single wheel base on the market. We show the torque, platform compatibility, price and other relevant information in tables. We also have an article that analyses the value of entry-level direct drives, and one that recommends Xbox wheel bases.

> The Steering Wheel Guide: See types of wheels and the other considerations when buying one. We also have one that ranks the 12 Best F1 Steering Wheels.

> The Wheel Compatibility Guide: See the bolt patterns and QR Hubs of all the major wheel and wheel base brands.

> The Rig and Seat Guide: See the two types of rigs and the other considerations when buying one.

> The Shifter and Handbrake Guide: A comparison of every sim racing stick shifter and handbrake on the market.

> The Pedal Guide: A comparison of all the budget and entry-level pedal sets, and the most popular mid-range and high-end pedal sets on the market.

> How to Earn Money in Sim Racing: An overview of the various ways in which you can get income from your favourite hobby.

We also publish sim related news, like analysing the value of the Fanatec ClubSport DD, reviewing the Fanatec QR2 or looking at the latest WRC updates. You can also find articles about us, like this article about our visit to the recent ADAC Sim Racing Expo.