In short: the Alpha EVO are four Simagic direct drive wheelbases with the same technology and different torque: the Sport with 9 Nm, the EVO with 12 Nm, the Pro with 18 Nm and the Ultra with 28 Nm. The Sport and EVO share the same compact body and work well on a desk too. The Pro and Ultra are longer and heavier and perform best on a rigid cockpit. All four work on PC, not on consoles.

Anyone looking at the Alpha EVO usually arrives with one specific question: how much force do I really need, and is it worth spending more? In this guide we compare the four versions using data from Simagic's manuals, explain what they have in common and what changes, look at the ready-made bundles with steering wheel and pedals, and offer some advice to those who still own an Alpha Mini, an Alpha or an Alpha U.

In this guide

1. The four Alpha EVO at a glance
2. What they have in common
3. Alpha EVO Sport (9 Nm)
4. Alpha EVO (12 Nm)
5. Alpha EVO Pro (18 Nm)
6. Alpha EVO Ultra (28 Nm)
7. How to choose based on where you drive
8. Bundles with GT Neo, FX Pro and pedals
9. Mounting and accessories
10. If you own an Alpha Mini, Alpha or Alpha U
11. Frequently asked questions

The four Alpha EVO at a glance

Here are the main differences, with data from Simagic's manuals and our prices for the wheelbases alone.

Three things to note straight away:

• The Sport and EVO are identical on the outside. Same body, same dimensions, same weight: only the torque changes, 9 or 12 Nm, plus €150 in price.
• The steering wheel is not included. The wheelbases on their own come with a power supply and cables. If you do not already own a Simagic steering wheel, it is worth looking at the bundles.
• Nm figures cannot be compared blindly across brands. Simagic quotes maximum torque; other manufacturers, such as Fanatec, distinguish between peak torque and holding torque. We explain this in our Fanatec wheelbase guide.

What they have in common

The difference between the four EVO models is almost entirely about force. The technology is the same, and it is what sets them apart from the previous-generation Alpha. Here is what matters in use:

• Low-inertia motor. The rotor is lighter, meaning it has a lower moment of inertia, so the wheelbase accelerates and brakes the steering wheel more quickly. In force feedback terms, this translates into faster responses over kerbs, bumps and loss of grip.
• "Zero cogging" technology. Many electric motors, when turned by hand while switched off, give a notchy feel: this is cogging torque, caused by the interaction between the magnets and the stator. Simagic designed the EVO motor to keep it to a minimum, so rotation stays smooth even with low filter settings.
• 21-bit encoder to read the steering wheel's position precisely.
• Active cooling. An internal fan only kicks in when the wheelbase exceeds a certain temperature, and it keeps torque consistent during long sessions.
• Connections in the wheelbase. The steering wheel is powered through the wheelbase, with no coiled cable, and there are 11 ports for peripherals, using CAN, CAN FD and USB protocols.
• RGB light ring on the front, which you can link to telemetry to see ABS, traction control or the limiter. If you do not like it, you can switch it off in the software.
• Magnetic mount for Simagic displays. On EVO wheelbases the MagicDash 4 requires the Simagic Air Link module.

Setup is handled by SimPro Manager, Simagic's Windows software, which you can download from the Simagic download centre: force, filters, steering angle, lights and firmware updates. The EVO models have no console licences: if you play on PS5 or Xbox, read our guide to PS5 and Xbox direct drive wheelbases.

Alpha EVO Sport (9 Nm)

The Sport is the entry point to the series. With 9 Nm there is enough force to clearly feel weight transfer, kerbs and oversteer, without becoming tiring in long sessions. Its 281 mm, 6.2 kg body makes it suitable for a sturdy desk too, using the desk clamps we look at further on.

It is the right choice if:

• you are moving up from a belt-driven or gear-driven steering wheel and want your first direct drive;
• you drive at a desk and do not have a cockpit yet;
• you want to spend part of your budget on the steering wheel and pedals, which matter as much as the wheelbase.

Its limit is headroom: with heavy-steering cars such as GT3s and prototypes, drivers who like very strong feedback will hit the 9 Nm ceiling more easily. With the Sport you will find ready-made the Alpha EVO Sport + GT Neo bundle (€739), with steering wheel and dual clutch paddles, and the Alpha EVO Sport + GT Neo + P700 bundle (€779), which adds a two-pedal set with a 150 kg load cell on the brake.

Alpha EVO (12 Nm)

The EVO has the same body as the Sport and 3 Nm more. That may not sound like much, but it is a third more torque: it means more headroom before hitting the limit and the option to run a lower in-game force, leaving room for detail. A customer who reviewed it on the product page writes that in games they use it at 50% of its power at most, with room to go higher in future.

It is the right choice if:

• you mainly drive GT, touring cars and formula cars and want a wheelbase you will not outgrow within a year;
• you are starting at a desk but plan to move to a cockpit: the dimensions are the same as the Sport;
• the €150 difference over the Sport fits your budget.

With the EVO you will find ready-made bundles including Alpha EVO + GT Neo (€879) and Alpha EVO + FX Pro (€1,249), with Simagic's formula steering wheel.

Alpha EVO Pro (18 Nm)

The Pro is the step where the series changes character. The body grows to 317 mm and the weight rises to 8.6 kg; the 18 Nm let it reproduce even the heaviest steering without clipping, i.e. without hitting the torque limit at moments of peak load, when the feedback stops conveying detail.

It is the right choice if:

• you have, or are about to buy, a rigid cockpit: on a desk, 18 Nm can make the top flex, and you lose precision;
• you often race GT3s, prototypes or endurance events, where you need consistent force for hours;
• you want a wheelbase that can handle any steering wheel, including the largest and heaviest.

The most popular bundle is Alpha EVO Pro + GT Neo (€1,089). For formula there is Alpha EVO Pro + FX Pro (€1,438), and if you want everything in one order there is Alpha EVO Pro + FX Pro + P2000 (€2,149), with Simagic's flagship pedals.

Alpha EVO Ultra (28 Nm)

The Ultra is the most powerful wheelbase Simagic has ever made. It keeps the same technology as the other EVO models, but the body reaches 359 mm and 11 kg, with a 550 W power supply. The box also includes the kill switch, the emergency stop button that halts the wheelbase instantly.

The kill switch is not a decorative accessory. The Alpha EVO Ultra manual (PDF) asks you to secure the wheelbase to a rigid platform, to test the kill switch before every session and to keep it within reach. With 28 Nm, a kick from the steering wheel can hurt your wrists. For beginners, the manual suggests setting the force to around 70% and increasing it gradually.

It is the right choice if:

• you have an aluminium profile cockpit and want the maximum possible headroom;
• you drive cars with very heavy steering, such as classics without power steering, or want to run very strong feedback without ever clipping;
• you are willing to work on the settings: lots of torque needs to be dialled in, not used all at once.

For most drivers the Pro is already more than enough. The Ultra makes sense when you already know what you are missing.

How to choose based on where you drive

More than the game, what matters is where you mount the wheelbase. A powerful wheelbase on a mount that flexes performs worse than a less powerful one that is firmly secured.

If you are torn between two neighbouring versions, choose based on the cockpit you will have in a year's time, not the one you have today: you change your wheelbase less often than your steering wheel.

Bundles with GT Neo, FX Pro and pedals

If you are starting from scratch, a bundle saves you from checking compatibility piece by piece. Here are the main combinations in our range, sorted by wheelbase.

The GT Neo X is a hub with buttons, encoders and paddles, which you pair with the rim of your choice; there are also bundles with the rim already included. If you want a cockpit as well, there is the complete ARCSIM GT-M + Alpha EVO Sport + GT Neo + P700 setup (€1,389): wheelbase, steering wheel, pedals and cockpit with seat. All the combinations are in the Simagic Bundles collection.

Mounting and accessories

The Alpha EVO wheelbases are secured from below with four M6 bolts. For side or front mounting, common on aluminium cockpits, you need dedicated brackets. These are the useful accessories:

• Simagic T-LOC Desk Clamps (€49), listed in the EVO manual as the desk mount. We recommend them for the Sport and EVO; for the Pro and Ultra a cockpit is the better option.
• Alpha EVO Side Mounting Brackets (€39), to secure the wheelbase from the sides and adjust its tilt.
• Alpha EVO Front Mounting Brackets (€59), for cockpits with a vertical plate in front of the driver.
• Simagic QR-USB EVO (€109), the adapter that lets you fit other brands' steering wheels with a standard 70 mm bolt pattern, with a built-in USB socket: the steering wheel connects to the wheelbase instead of the PC.

Simagic pedals, shifters and handbrakes connect directly to the wheelbase, which has two types of output. The Ultra manual lists them: the P500, P700 and TB-RS handbrake go on the RJ45 port (CAN FD); the P1000, P2000, DS-8X, Q1 and Q1S shifters and TB-1 handbrake on the USB-A port (CAN). This way you do not need a PC USB port for every peripheral.

If you own an Alpha Mini, Alpha or Alpha U

Alpha Mini, Alpha and Alpha U are no longer in our range: the Alpha EVO wheelbases have taken their place. There's no one-to-one replacement, because the torque figures are different:

If you're thinking of moving to an EVO, much of what you already own can still be used:

• Your steering wheel. The Alpha EVO manual lists the Simagic QR50 and QR70 quick releases as compatible, the same ones used on Simagic steering wheels.
• Simagic pedals, shifter and handbrake, which connect to the wheelbase as described above.
• Your cockpit. Simagic specifies the same bottom and side mounting holes as the Alpha range; for front mounting you'll need the EVO front mounting brackets.
• The software. SimPro Manager handles both the EVO and the Alpha wheelbases.

Is it worth upgrading? If your Alpha works well, there's no rush. The difference is felt mainly in the smoothness and speed of the feedback, thanks to the low-inertia motor and reduced cogging, and in the active cooling. It makes more sense if you also want more force, for example going from an Alpha Mini to an EVO or a Pro.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Alpha EVO and the Alpha EVO Sport?

Only the torque: 12 Nm for the EVO, 9 Nm for the Sport. Housing, dimensions, weight and technology are the same. At the time of writing, the price difference is €150.

Alpha EVO Pro or Ultra: which is better?

For most drivers, the Pro: on a rigid cockpit, 18 Nm is enough for almost every car. The Ultra makes sense if you have an aluminium cockpit, want to run very strong feedback without clipping and are prepared to manage a 28 Nm wheelbase with the kill switch.

Can I use an Alpha EVO on a desk?

The Sport and EVO, yes, with the T-LOC desk clamps and a sturdy desk. For the Pro and Ultra we recommend a cockpit: on a desk, the force can make the desktop flex.

Do the Alpha EVO wheelbases work on PS5 or Xbox?

No. Simagic wheelbases are designed for PC and are configured with SimPro Manager on Windows. To play on console you need PlayStation-licensed wheelbases or Xbox-licensed steering wheels.

Is the steering wheel included with the wheelbase?

No. The standalone wheelbases include the power supply and cables; the Ultra also includes the kill switch. The steering wheel is bought separately or as part of one of the bundles.

Can I fit a steering wheel from another brand?

Yes, with the Simagic QR-USB EVO, if the steering wheel has the standard 70 mm bolt pattern. The integrated USB port lets you connect the steering wheel to the wheelbase, without a direct cable to the PC.

Do my Simagic steering wheels work on the Alpha EVO?

The Alpha EVO manual lists the QR50 and QR70 quick releases, the ones used on Simagic steering wheels, as compatible. If you have any doubts about a specific model, get in touch before you buy.

Is the active cooling noisy?

The fan only kicks in when the wheelbase exceeds a certain temperature, so it doesn't run all the time. In a quiet room you may hear it; with headphones or game audio it usually goes unnoticed.

What software do I need?

Simagic's SimPro Manager, free, for Windows. You use it to adjust force and filters, update the firmware and configure the light ring.

Is the Alpha Mini still on sale?

Not from us: the Alpha Mini, Alpha and Alpha U are no longer in our range. For force similar to the Alpha Mini, look at the Sport or the EVO; you'll find the comparison in the dedicated section above.

What support do I get when buying from Direct Drive Italia?

All products come with Italy-based technical support and a 2-year warranty, and ship from our warehouse in Italy.

Specifications taken from Simagic's official manuals and pages as of October 2026. Prices include VAT and are correct at the time of writing: the product page always takes precedence.

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Find your Alpha EVO. All four wheelbases are in the Simagic Wheelbases collection. If you're not sure which to choose, contact our support team: we'll help you work out which version is right for you.