Logitech RS50 Wheel & New McLaren Range – Direct Drive Details

by Anika Shah - Technology
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Logitech has fully revealed its new line up of Logitech G gaming gear, and it’s good news for racing sim fans, as not only were the first new products from the McLaren collaboration revealed, but there was also the new RS50 modular wheel and pedals set up that, in a first for Logitech, brings a mid-range unit with a direct drive base too its line up.

While Logitech has one of the largest footprints in the casual sim racing arena,it has previously only played in the extreme ends of the segment by offering the excellent gear-driven G29/G290/G293 $300 to $500 entry level wheels before jumping up to the $2000 direct drive G Pro racing wheel. The RS50 splits this and brings direct drive technology down to a more affordable level with its $1399 price tag.

Logitech G has introduced a new racing wheel; the RS50 with a direct drive base and speedy release wheel hub.

What’s so great about direct drive, I hear you ask?

Gear driven wheels use, as the name suggests a series of gears to direct the force feedback to the wheel, which is a cheaper set up, but lacks in fine detail, whereas direct drive connects the wheel directly to the motor, pumping more torque directly to the driver which produce faster, more precise responses.The RS50 sees Logitech enter the mid-range market with a more affordable direct drive option.

Direct drive wheels are more expensive to produce though, so have tended to sit at the professional/seriously dedicated amateur level, so Logitech’s move to bring the more precise set up down to a consumer-level price point is meaningful, mainly as the last few years has seen the rapid rise of smaller competitors introducing direct drive units at lower prices.The RS50 packs 8Nm of torque (compared to the 11Nm of the G Pro wheel and just over 2Nm of the G293) and 2700 degrees of rotation and comes in two forms – one compatible with PC and PlayStation 4/5, and one compatible with PC and Xbox one and Xbox Series X/S.

Logitech and McLaren Racing Announce New Line of Sim Racing Accessories

Logitech and McLaren Racing have announced their first collaborative line of sim racing accessories, bringing a touch of Formula 1 authenticity to the virtual world. The collection, launching in October (with one item slated for early 2026), includes a wheel, pedals, headset, and racing cockpit, all adorned with McLaren’s iconic Papaya orange livery. this partnership aims to elevate the sim racing experiance for enthusiasts, blending Logitech’s technology with McLaren’s racing pedigree.

New Hardware Details

The collaboration features four key products:

* McLaren RS Formula Wheel: This wheel is modeled after the unit used in McLaren’s MC38 F1 car, though modified for sim racing use after initial testing revealed the real wheel wasn’t ideal for virtual setups. It’s constructed from aluminum and glass-filled polycarbonate and is compatible with both the Logitech G Pro and new RS50 wheel bases. A especially nice touch is the inscription of Bruce mclaren’s famous quote, “Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone,” on the wheel’s back.
* RS Pedals: Details on the RS pedals were not extensively covered in the source material, but they are part of the initial launch alongside the wheel, headset, and cockpit.
* McLaren A50 X Headset: This headset is a reskin of Logitech’s highly-regarded Astro A50 X, featuring McLaren’s signature Papaya orange color.It boasts graphene drivers, a 48KHz microphone, and dual device mixing, allowing users to connect both a console/PC and a phone together. Availability in New Zealand will be strictly limited.
* PlaySeat formula Instinct Logitech G McLaren Racing Edition cockpit: Developed in collaboration with PlaySeat, this cockpit features a steel and aluminum frame and a slimline racing seat, all finished in McLaren Papaya orange.

Launch Timeline

The McLaren RS50 wheel, RS pedals, McLaren A50 X headset, and PlaySeat cockpit will be available for purchase in October 2025. The McLaren RS formula wheel is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026.

Why This Collaboration Matters

This partnership represents a significant step for both Logitech and McLaren Racing. For Logitech, it signifies a commitment to the high-end sim racing market, leveraging the prestige of a Formula 1 team to enhance its product appeal. For McLaren, it’s an prospect to extend its brand into the rapidly growing world of esports and sim racing, engaging with fans in a new and immersive way. https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/logitech-mclaren-racing-sim-racing-accessories/

Key Takeaways

* Logitech and McLaren Racing have partnered to create a line of sim racing accessories.
* The collection includes a wheel, pedals, headset, and cockpit, all featuring McLaren’s papaya orange color scheme.
* The McLaren RS Formula wheel is based on the unit used in McLaren’s MC38 F1 car.
* The McLaren A50 X headset is a reskinned version of the Astro A50 X with upgraded features.
* Most products launch in October 2025, with the McLaren RS Formula wheel arriving in Q1 2026.

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