New Simagic Alpha EVO Series – What You Should Know

What do we know about the new Simagic GT EVO series?

Simagic has recently introduced a new line of direct drive wheelbases called the Alpha EVO series (informally referred to as the GT EVO series). After four years of refining the original Alpha lineup, these next-generation wheelbases have been engineered from the ground up to redefine the price-to-performance ratio in sim racing hardware. The series consists of three models, each with a different peak torque rating: Simagic Alpha EVO Sport, Simagic Alpha EVO, and Simagic Alpha EVO Pro. Below, we take a detailed look at each model and its key features, highlight the differences between the new Alpha EVO and the previous Simagic Alpha generation, and compare the Simagic offerings against competing wheelbases from other brands.

Simagic Alpha EVO Sport (9 Nm)

The Simagic Alpha EVO Sport is the smallest and most affordable wheelbase in the new lineup. Despite its compact size and the lowest torque output of the series (9 Nm), it delivers dynamic and smooth force feedback that shines in everyday driving, online races, and even endurance sessions. It’s an ideal entry point for newcomers to direct drive without sacrificing performance.

9 Nm peak torque – perfect for daily sim racing use and beginners stepping into direct drive.
Compact, lightweight design – easy to mount on most rigs and simple to manage.
“Zero cogging” technology – provides smooth, realistic feedback with no notchiness or cogging feel.
Fully compatible with all Simagic steering wheels, pedals, and peripherals in the ecosystem.
Supports the Simagic NEO-X hub – enables fast wheel swaps with no cables to plug in.

Simagic Alpha EVO (12 Nm)

The Simagic Alpha EVO (12 Nm) is the all-purpose, mid-tier base in the EVO series, offering an excellent balance between power and hardware requirements. Its 12 Nm of torque is enough to deliver a highly realistic driving experience without needing an extremely reinforced cockpit. This model will satisfy experienced sim racers looking for a precise wheelbase for titles like iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione or rFactor 2, offering high performance in a relatively accessible package.

12 Nm of torque – ample power for advanced sim racers who demand realism.
Zero-cogging technology – ensures smooth, uninterrupted force feedback with no graininess.
Active cooling system – maintains consistent performance even during long racing stints.
Wide compatibility with Simagic steering wheels, pedals and accessories for plug-and-play use.
Flexible mounting options – a compact chassis that can be easily installed in various cockpit configurations.

Simagic Alpha EVO Pro (18 Nm)

The Simagic Alpha EVO Pro is the flagship model of the new series, offering up to 18 Nm of torque – built for professional sim racers and the most demanding enthusiasts. This powerhouse features a custom high-end servo motor with ultra-low inertia and advanced signal processing algorithms, allowing it to push your skills to the limit by conveying every nuance of the car’s behavior with exceptional precision and speed.

18 Nm peak torque – designed for competitive sim racers and e-sports professionals seeking top performance.
Ultra-low inertia – delivers fast, natural steering responses with minimal lag or overshoot.
“Zero cogging” technology – provides consistently smooth and immersive force feedback without jolts or roughness.
Fully compatible with Simagic wheels, pedals, and accessories (seamless integration into the Simagic ecosystem).
Supports the NEO-X quick-release hub – enables lightning-fast wheel changes with no cables, ideal for drivers using multiple rims.

Key differences between the Alpha EVO and the previous Simagic Alpha series

New “zero-cogging” servo motor – The Alpha EVO series uses a newly designed 5-pole brushless servo motor that virtually eliminates cogging. In the older Simagic Alpha models (Alpha Mini, Alpha, Alpha Ultimate), a slight notchy feeling could be detected when turning the wheel very slowly. The EVO motors are incredibly smooth by comparison, offering a much more refined force feedback sensation with none of the cogging effect.
Higher encoder resolution – The new wheelbases come equipped with a 21-bit position encoder, providing finer resolution than the previous generation’s encoders. This means the wheelbase can detect and respond to subtler movements of the wheel, giving the driver more detailed feedback about the road surface and car behavior.
Improved cooling and durability – The Alpha EVO series features a redesigned active cooling system that more efficiently dissipates heat from the motor and electronics. As a result, these bases maintain peak performance even during very long, intense sessions, improving reliability and longevity. While the older Alpha models did have cooling fans, the new design is quieter and more effective, preventing thermal throttling over extended use.
Torque vs. FFB quality – The maximum torque outputs of the new EVO line are 9 Nm, 12 Nm, and 18 Nm respectively. In comparison, the previous models offered roughly 10 Nm (M10/Alpha Mini), 15 Nm (Alpha), and 20 Nm (Alpha Ultimate). Despite slightly lower peak numbers, the Alpha EVO bases make up for it with superior force feedback fidelity. Thanks to new control algorithms (like the Dynamic Force Domain Filter, or DFDF) and the low-inertia design, drivers report a richer, more nuanced feedback and a very confident steering feel, without the extra strain that ultra-high torque can sometimes cause.
More open ecosystem – The Alpha EVO series is even more accommodating to third-party hardware than before. Simagic has introduced an optional QR-A quick release adapter that provides power and data, allowing users to easily mount aftermarket steering wheels (using the standard 6x70 mm bolt pattern) complete with button and display support via CAN-FD/USB. Previous Simagic bases could also work with third-party rims, but the new system (including a next-gen quick release with integrated USB and the GT NEO X hub) makes it much simpler and fully integrated.
Price and value – Simagic has aggressively priced the Alpha EVO models to be competitive. At launch, the Sport, standard, and Pro were listed around $399, $549, and $699 USD respectively (approximately 1950 PLN, 2690 PLN, 3449 PLN in Poland), which is very appealing compared to similar-specced competitors. By contrast, the older Alpha Ultimate (20 Nm) often cost over 1000 EUR. This improved affordability means high-end direct drive technology is now within reach of more sim racers, reinforcing Simagic’s reputation for value.

Comparison with competing wheelbases

The new Simagic Alpha EVO bases enter a market where several established competitors offer direct drive products with similar specifications. Below we compare how the Alpha EVO Sport, Alpha EVO, and Alpha EVO Pro stack up against equivalent models from MOZA Racing, Simucube, and VNM.

MOZA Racing – R9, R12, R16, R21

MOZA R9 (9 Nm) – a compact direct drive base with specifications similar to the Simagic Alpha EVO Sport. It provides 9 Nm of torque and is part of MOZA’s proprietary ecosystem (their own wheels, pedals, and Pit House software). This is MOZA’s entry-level DD offering and serves as an alternative for those considering the Simagic Sport in terms of performance and target audience (beginner to intermediate sim racers).
MOZA R12 (12 Nm) – MOZA’s mid-range model, directly competing with the 12 Nm Simagic Alpha EVO. It offers the same torque level, delivering strong feedback and immersive driving sensations. The MOZA R12 will appeal to sim racers looking for around 12 Nm of force feedback; the choice between it and the Simagic Alpha EVO may come down to ecosystem preference and specific features (MOZA’s system has its own strengths, like their tuning software and design).
MOZA R16 (16 Nm) – a higher-powered MOZA base, positioned between the Simagic Alpha EVO (12 Nm) and Alpha EVO Pro (18 Nm) in terms of torque. It delivers a bit more punch than Simagic’s mid model, though slightly less than Simagic’s Pro. MOZA R16 is a great option for those who want more strength than 12 Nm but perhaps don’t need the full 18 Nm, or who prefer MOZA’s ecosystem. It features sturdy construction and refined feedback, making it a strong contender in the high-end segment.
MOZA R21 (21 Nm) – MOZA’s flagship wheelbase, offering a massive 21 Nm of peak torque. This actually exceeds the Simagic Alpha EVO Pro’s output, making the R21 one of the most powerful consumer bases available. It’s aimed at the most demanding users who seek extreme force feedback strength and are willing to invest in a very rigid rig and a higher price point. For those users, the R21 provides an experience that can rival professional-grade simulators, at the cost of being an overkill for more casual racing setups.

Simucube 2 – Sport and Pro

Simucube 2 Sport (17 Nm) – a renowned direct drive base from Finnish company Granite Devices, often considered the benchmark for FFB quality. Its 17 Nm peak torque is in the same ballpark as the Simagic Alpha EVO Pro’s 18 Nm. The Simucube 2 Sport operates in an open ecosystem (compatible with any standard 70 mm wheel rim) and is praised for its top-notch build quality and True Drive configuration software. However, it comes at a significantly higher price than Simagic’s offerings – you’re paying a premium for that industry-leading smoothness and detail.
Simucube 2 Pro (25 Nm) – an even more powerful model (25 Nm) that targets the hardcore enthusiasts and professional sim racers. The Simucube 2 Pro offers substantially more headroom in torque compared to the 18 Nm Simagic Alpha EVO Pro. It delivers an exceptionally strong and detailed force feedback experience, but it’s also considerably more expensive than any Simagic base. Simagic’s strategy is to deliver comparable fidelity at a fraction of the cost; whereas Simucube 2 Pro is for those who demand the absolute best and are prepared to invest heavily to get it.

VNM Simulation – Premier, Elite, Supreme

VNM Premier (13 Nm) – the entry-level direct drive base from VNM, offering 13 Nm of torque. This is slightly above the Simagic Alpha EVO’s 12 Nm, giving VNM a small edge in power in the lower-mid segment. The Premier is an attractive option for those seeking a first direct drive base with double-digit torque – it’s competitively priced relative to Simagic and MOZA, yet already delivers a very solid force feedback experience that would satisfy most sim racers stepping up from gear or belt-driven wheels.
VNM Elite (18 Nm) – VNM’s mid-tier model, which matches the Simagic Alpha EVO Pro in torque. With 18 Nm on tap, the Elite targets advanced users who want professional-grade strength and precision. Compared to Simagic, the VNM Elite competes on price and its own feature set (including telemetry-based FFB fine-tuning). The decision between VNM Elite and Simagic Pro may come down to ecosystem preference and after-sales support, as both offer similar performance levels in terms of raw specs.
VNM Supreme (25 Nm) – the top-of-the-line base from VNM, delivering a hefty 25 Nm of torque, comparable to the Simucube 2 Pro. This exceeds the Simagic Alpha EVO Pro’s capabilities and is aimed at the most demanding sim racers who desire an extremely strong FFB. The VNM Supreme can provide a level of force feedback that surpasses Simagic’s offering, but it also sits at a higher price tier and requires a very robust rig to handle its force. For enthusiasts chasing maximum performance without jumping to even more expensive pro gear, the Supreme offers an intriguing alternative.

Conclusion: The new Simagic Alpha EVO series brings three tiers of direct drive performance to cater to different sim racers – from the budget-friendly 9 Nm Sport, through the well-rounded 12 Nm standard model, up to the 18 Nm Pro for high-end setups. With advanced technologies like zero-cogging motors, ultra-low inertia design, high-resolution encoders, and an improved ecosystem (NEO-X hub and next-gen quick release), Simagic aims to compete toe-to-toe with established brands, often undercutting them in price. Whether you’re just starting out in sim racing or you’re a seasoned pro, the Alpha EVO series expands the available options and is certainly worth considering as the force feedback heart of your racing simulator.