Asetek Invicta Formula:
premium, and finally personal.

Review disclosure: Asetek supplied this wheel free of charge for review and let me personalise its configuration. I retained the review unit. The original video includes a separate Pit Lane Sim Racing sponsored segment. Product links below are affiliate links, which may earn me a commission at no extra cost to you.

I had not always liked the appearance of Asetek’s earlier wheels. The Invicta changed that because I could choose a configuration that suited my rig and taste. After setting it up in red and black, I tested it on both an Asetek Invicta wheelbase and my Simucube 2 Ultimate. The display, construction and flexibility impressed me, although the controls and paddles did not all become instant favourites.

Building a wheel to suit my rig

I used an early version of Asetek’s online configurator to choose colours and materials. Red-and-black knobs gave the wheel the clean, consistent appearance I wanted.

I selected the standard display surround to contrast with the forged-carbon button surrounds, and forged-carbon paddles to match the rest of the wheel. The front branding was more restrained than on earlier Asetek designs, which I preferred.

The machined aluminium chassis and carbon front plate felt like a substantial step up in presentation. I did not experience flex in the body or at the ends of the grips during my testing.

Personalisation was enjoyable, but it also affected the price. The configuration in my video should not be assumed to match the entry-level button box or every option included in a current order.

Which grips worked best for me

The Invicta used Asetek’s interchangeable handle system. I ordered XL handles because I already had regular Formula and LMP handles, allowing me to try all three. I did not test the suede option.

The regular Formula handles were my favourite on this wheel. The thicker XL grips felt good in my hands, but made some controls harder to reach.

I liked the shape of the LMP handles, although their surface felt more slippery than the Formula grips. On the positive side, they did not seem to collect dust and hair as readily.

Being able to swap handles was useful, particularly for someone who already owned compatible Asetek parts. It took only a few minutes and gave me a practical way to choose what suited my hands.

The display and software options

The 4.3-inch LCD was bright and clear in use. I liked Asetek’s built-in dashboards and startup presentation, while SimHub support let me run my preferred Lovely Dashboard.

In the RaceHub 4.0 software I tested, the included layouts offered a straightforward route to getting started. SimHub provided the extra flexibility I wanted for custom dashboards and rev-light profiles.

I also loaded a Daniel Newman Racing profile for the rev lights successfully. That combination made the display more appealing to me than a screen restricted to a few manufacturer layouts.

The rotating display elements required an Asetek wheelbase during my test, because they relied on its steering data. I did not spend much time looking at the screen mid-corner, but it was an interesting option.

Touch functionality was not enabled on my review unit. My verdict was based on what worked during the October 2024 test, so check current software support rather than buying on the assumption that every promised function is available.

Lots of controls, with a few ergonomic reservations

The wheel offered more encoders than I immediately needed. I liked the smooth thumb encoders and the positive front rotaries, though I would have welcomed a push-button function on those central controls.

The top rocker switches and rear buttons were useful for quick adjustments. The seven-way switches were farther from the grips than I would have preferred, and I sometimes had to loosen my hold to reach them.

The aluminium button caps felt premium, but I could feel a little play when moving a finger over them. Activation was good, and I did not hear rattling while driving, so it was a finishing detail rather than a functional problem in my test.

I was less keen on the small illuminated label areas above the buttons. I preferred the appearance of labels directly on backlit buttons; applied labels here made the wheel look less special to me.

Hand size and grip choice affected those impressions. The XL grips made some reaches harder for me, while someone with larger hands may find the same layout more comfortable.

Paddles that worked well but were not my favourite

My configuration had three paddles per side: shifter, clutch and an additional upper input. I appreciated how easy they were to adjust or remove when changing handles or mounting parts.

The forged-carbon paddle plates looked and felt better than the standard plastic plates on my Forte wheel. The additional magnets also gave the shifts a stronger action.

Even so, the shifters retained much of the familiar Asetek character. They worked well, but I found them quieter and less distinctive than the crisp, clicky action I enjoyed on GSI wheels.

That is a preference, not a missed-shift complaint. At this price, I wanted buyers to understand that I admired the construction more than I loved the paddle feel.

Asetek and third-party wheelbase use

I tested on both the Invicta wheelbase and the Simucube 2 Ultimate. The straightforward connection within Asetek’s ecosystem was the cleaner experience.

Using the wheel with another base involved more consideration of the hub, adapter and USB connection. A USB-C port behind the quick release provided an option, but routing an extra cable and choosing compatible mounting hardware made it less convenient.

I appreciated having a way to use the wheel outside Asetek’s ecosystem. Still, if I were choosing specifically for a Simucube rig, I would also look at wheels designed around an accessible external connection.

The official product is sold as an Invicta Formula Button Box, with handles sold separately. Check the complete handle, quick-release and adapter configuration for your base before ordering.

The driving experience

The roughly 300 mm size felt versatile for GT, prototype and formula driving. Some drivers will prefer a smaller rim for open-wheel cars, but this size was a useful compromise for me.

The wheel felt responsive and balanced. Compared with the GRID Porsche RSR wheel I had used, I noticed less of a top-heavy sensation from the display area. That was a subjective impression, not a measured inertia comparison.

I especially enjoyed it in prototypes and cars that use a display in the wheel. For cars with a fixed dashboard, I personally preferred a wheel without a screen for the more authentic cockpit appearance.

It was good to drive with, but it did not make every other premium wheel feel outdated. Its strongest argument was the combination of features and personalisation for an Asetek owner.

Original price and my verdict

My October 2024 review quoted a starting price of US$1,249.99 and a highest configuration of US$1,484.96 before tax and shipping. These are the original review figures; check the current complete configuration rather than treating them as a quote.

The construction, display integration and interchangeable grips made this a compelling premium option. I particularly liked being able to create an Asetek wheel whose appearance I was happy to have on my rig.

I would still weigh the paddle feel, control reach and additional cost of the required parts carefully. Those compromises do not disappear because a wheel sits at the top of a range.

For someone invested in Asetek who wants a versatile wheel with a screen, the Invicta made a strong case. On another wheelbase, the extra connection work and competing options made the choice less clear-cut.

About this article: Adapted from my original review script and video review. Driving impressions refer to the original review period. The official product page was checked for the current button-box listing and separate handle requirement.