Review disclosure: Ascher Racing supplied this wheel free of charge on loan for review; I was required to return it after the review period. Ascher had no influence on the original video or my opinions. My video description lists the discount code below, and the product button goes to Ascher’s official product page.
I used the Artura Ultimate as my primary wheel for several weeks, and the things I touched every lap were what impressed me most. The buttons, rotary controls and paddles felt carefully chosen, while the 300 mm shape worked across the types of cars I enjoy. It was an unusually complete package for my preferences, although the screen and grip size will not suit everyone in the same way.
My verdict at a glance
Best suited to: Someone who wants one premium display wheel for GT, Formula and LMP racing, and likes the more restrained McLaren design.
What stood out: Interchangeable illuminated button caps, excellent front rotaries, satisfying quiet paddles and a comfortable layout.
What to consider: Smaller grips for large hands, the compact screen, a USB connection that needed care on my rig and the high price.
A McLaren wheel made for sim racing
The Artura Ultimate is part of Ascher’s collaboration with McLaren, alongside the wheel developed for the real Artura GT4. It takes that motorsport foundation and adds controls and features intended for sim racing.
I liked that approach. It was not simply a replica whose layout I had to work around; the switches and extra paddles were useful for the way I actually drive in a simulator.
The aluminium housing and brushed front finish felt premium. The styling was relatively understated, but the lighting and display still gave it character.
The McLaren logo did not bother me when driving other brands in the sim. I understand why that might matter to someone else, and a dedicated McLaren fan may see it as part of the appeal.
Size, grip shape and comfort
The 300 mm diameter felt like a versatile size. I enjoyed using it for GT, Formula and LMP cars without feeling I needed to change wheels each time.
The rubber grips were comfortable with and without gloves. The thumb area gave me enough clearance from the housing, avoiding a point of irritation I have found on some other wheels.
The grips are relatively compact. They suited my hands, but someone with larger hands may prefer a more substantial grip, so I would not turn my comfort into a universal promise.
The overall weight and balance felt right to me. It was easy to settle into longer sessions without the wheel’s shape distracting from the driving.
Buttons and interchangeable caps
The fourteen illuminated buttons were a highlight. They had a satisfying short press with little play, and I liked both their feel and placement.
Instead of applying a decal to each button, I could change the laser-etched caps using the supplied tool. Light shone through the symbols, giving the controls a particularly clean appearance.
Changing caps took a little time, but I preferred being able to reuse and rearrange them when my assignments changed. I did not have to worry about wasting a decal after changing my mind.
Stickers were still used for the thumb encoders and rotary switches. The replaceable-cap approach applied to the buttons, rather than eliminating every label on the wheel.
Rotaries and seven-way switches
The two large metal front rotaries were among my favourite controls on the wheel. Their firm, positive clicks and the feel of the aluminium knobs made each adjustment satisfying.
The two seven-way switches were also well placed. Pressing to select felt precise; I was less prone to accidentally nudging a direction when I wanted a button press.
Four thumb encoders added more controls within reach. My testing notes did record a small reservation: precise downward operation of the upper encoders could feel a little awkward.
That did not spoil an otherwise excellent layout. It is still worth retaining alongside the praise, particularly if thumb-control ergonomics are a major part of how you use a wheel.
Six paddles that felt well judged
The magnetic shift paddles gave a solid, damped thump with a definite end stop. They felt fast and reassuring without being excessively loud.
Their position lined up naturally with my fingers. I liked the confidence of the action and did not feel flex when shifting.
The two additional upper paddles were useful for functions I wanted to reach without moving my hands away from the grips. I appreciate that arrangement on a well-equipped sim wheel.
The analogue clutch paddles were smooth and light, with a springy return. Ascher’s software allowed different modes and response curves, including dual-clutch operation or throttle and brake assignments.
The display and lighting
The four-inch display was compact, but sharp and bright enough for me to read during the review. Its proportions made sense with the wheel’s overall size.
The twenty-one telemetry LEDs and illuminated buttons were configurable through SimHub. Lovely Dashboard and Daniel Newman Racing profiles worked well in my setup and brought the wheel to life.
A dense dashboard may still be harder to read on a small screen, particularly if your wheel is below your main line of sight. In a GT-style position, I sometimes had to glance down to use it.
That is why I would consider the Artura Pro if I only wanted a GT wheel and already had a suitable dashboard display. The Ultimate’s screen adds more value when you need one wheel for several disciplines and your seating position lets you use it comfortably.
USB setup and choosing the mounting length
The Ultimate uses USB for its display and lighting. In my setup, it did not power correctly through the powered hub or active extension I initially tried.
Using the supplied active extension and connecting back to the PC resolved that problem. The included cable was very long, which helped reach the computer but left cable management to sort out.
It did not need a separate power-injection box. My experience still makes the USB route worth checking before you assume an existing hub will work.
The six-bolt, 70 mm mounting pattern let me choose my own quick release and extension. I used a GSI extension to keep the wheel position consistent with other wheels on my rig.
I preferred having that choice instead of a fixed spacer dictating the distance. Ascher also offered an Asetek quick-release solution with integrated USB, which is an option to consider if that is your wheelbase ecosystem.
The current product page offers several mounting choices. Pick for your actual base and PC connection requirements; my original review did not test every current quick-release option.
Software and day-to-day use
I appreciated using SimHub for the dashboard and lighting because much of my other hardware already relied on it. The default and community profiles made it easy to get a useful starting point.
SimHub was not the only software involved. Ascher’s Control Center handled functions such as firmware, clutch configuration and rotary behaviour during the review.
Once configured, the wheel felt comfortable and functional in everyday driving. The inputs were where I expected them, and I enjoyed the paddles and button feel every session.
Those are impressions from the original review period. Software and supplied profiles can change, so use the current downloads and instructions when setting one up now.
How I compared it with other wheels
The GSI Hyper P1 was another high-end display wheel I enjoyed. Its larger-feeling shape and chunky open grips gave it a different character, particularly for Formula and LMP driving.
The Artura’s more compact closed-grip layout felt versatile to me. Between those two, grip preference and styling would weigh heavily in my decision.
My original GRID MPX remained a favourite wheel in my own collection. It did not have a display, but its fit, finish and controls made it a relevant comparison if a screen was not essential.
I had not tested every competing wheel. These comparisons reflect the products I had actually used at that time, not a claim that the Artura beat the entire market.
Original price and my verdict
My August 2024 review quoted €1,499, excluding the shipping and duties discussed in the video. Check the current listing and selected mounting options for the full cost in your region.
The Artura Ultimate was expensive, but I felt its build quality, controls and overall usability made a strong case in the premium category.
The button caps were especially good, and the paddles and front rotaries were among the details I most enjoyed. The screen added flexibility without making the wheel feel oversized.
I would still consider hand size, USB routing and whether the display is useful in your seating position. Those practical details matter more than choosing the top model simply because it is the top model.
For my preferences during the review, this was one of the most convincing options for a single wheel with a display. I kept reaching for it because it was comfortable, useful and enjoyable to drive with.
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About this article: Adapted from my original review script and video review. Driving impressions refer to the original review period. The official Ascher Artura Ultimate listing was checked for the current product destination and mounting options. The code is listed in my video description; the discount has not been tested at checkout.
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