Porsche’s computer-game sim racing steering wheel costs Kia Picanto money

Porsche’s North American Design division has unveiled the world’s most expensive steering wheel for racing simulators, inspired by those fitted to its popular 911 GT3 Cup race cars.

Limited to 150 examples, the steering wheel is modelled on those used in the Porsche Carrera Cup series race cars around the world – including the Australian competition which has used the latest-generation ‘992’ 911 since the start of 2022.

According to Porsche Design of America, the sim racing steering wheel is made from the same materials as those found in the real-world racers, such as carbon-fibre – for both strength and rigidity – and lights which illuminate the buttons from behind.

Porsche says the steering wheel can be fitted to any existing sim racing wheel base which uses a six-hole, 70mm layout while the steering wheel’s buttons and paddle shifters can be mapped in-game by plugging it into a PC via a USB port.

However, the price of having a genuine Porsche part for your sim rig comes at the cost of $US10,475 – equivalent to almost $AU16,200 locally, before shipping and other costs are factored in.

For context, the cheapest new car in Australia – the Kia Picanto S – is priced from $16,290 plus on-road costs.

It comfortably makes the Porsche sim racing wheel the most expensive standalone wheel attachment ever, exceeding the $2300 Fanatec-made replica of the BMW M4 GT3’s controls.

Alternatively, UK firm bf1systems – which produces the real steering wheels for Porsche’s 911 GT3 R racer – makes the ‘Auriga Drive’, a £4000 ($AU7800) replica of the real deal for sim racing, adding traction control, ABS and engine map adjustment buttons over the 911 Cup car wheel.