Asetek Forte review: 18Nm with an upgrade ladder to 27Nm
The Asetek Forte makes 18Nm and shares its 22-bit encoder with the 12Nm La Prima below it and the 27Nm Invicta above it. That shared platform is the point: stepping from Forte to Invicta is a motor upgrade kit, not a new base, so you buy in at ~$949 and grow later without rebuying the chassis. The build is CNC-aluminum, with very high resolution and fast response, and it ships with the Asetek Racing Quick Release.
| Drive type | Direct drive |
|---|---|
| Peak torque | 18Nm |
| Price | ~$949 (base only); a steering wheel is a separate purchase (Asetek and partner wheels) |
| Platforms | PC only |
| Quick release | Asetek Racing Quick Release, included |
| Software | Asetek RaceHub |
| Best for | 18Nm now with a clear motor-kit path to 27Nm later |
Who it’s for
Section titled “Who it’s for”18Nm now for the PC racer who wants a clear path to 27Nm without rebuying the base.
Buy it if:
- You want 18Nm today but a clean upgrade later, not a second base.
- You value the ladder: the 22-bit encoder and CNC chassis carry across the La Prima, Forte, and Invicta, so you keep your wheels, the quick release, and your settings.
- You race PC and will add a steering wheel on top of the ~$949.
Not the one if 15Nm is enough forever (the VRS DFP15 does that for less) or you need a console (the Fanatec ClubSport DD+).
What it’s like to drive
Section titled “What it’s like to drive”18Nm is headroom. Past roughly 10–12Nm the extra Nm is headroom, not steering weight your arms will use, so most drivers run the Forte well below its ceiling. The torque guide covers why the encoder, not the 18Nm, is doing the work.
What you feel. What you actually feel is the 22-bit encoder: the resolution that renders small surface texture and the front tire loading under braking. The response is fast and the signal is clean. Trim the in-game gain to taste; the per-base tuning guide has Asetek starting points.
Watch-outs
Section titled “Watch-outs”- Heavier and larger than several rivals. Plan rig space and a solid mount; it isn’t a desk-clamp base.
- RaceHub has been the rough edge. Asetek RaceHub software has historically been less polished than the hardware, and the wheel ecosystem is smaller than Fanatec’s or Moza’s.
- PC only. No console path.
- 18Nm needs a stiff rig and a solid mount. A frame that flexes under it will mask the resolution you’re paying for.
Alternatives to consider
Section titled “Alternatives to consider”- VRS DirectForce Pro DFP15: 15Nm for less money, if you don’t need the extra torque or the upgrade ladder.
- Simucube 3 Sport: the reference build, FFB algorithm, and support, if those matter more than peak Nm.
- Fanatec ClubSport DD+: also 18Nm, with a console license, if you need Xbox or PlayStation.
If you’ll genuinely climb to the 27Nm Invicta, buy in here and add the motor kit later; if not, spend less on the base and put the difference into a load-cell brake. The high-end wheelbases overview and the buying guide by budget show where the Forte fits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade the Forte to the 27Nm Invicta later?
Yes. The step up is a motor upgrade kit, not a new base: the 22-bit encoder and CNC-aluminum chassis are shared across the La Prima (12Nm), Forte (18Nm), and Invicta (27Nm), so you keep the base and swap the motor.
Is 18Nm too much torque?
For most drivers you'll run it well below the ceiling. Past roughly 10–12Nm extra torque is headroom rather than usable steering weight, and the resolution from the 22-bit encoder matters more than the Nm. See the torque guide.
Asetek Forte or VRS DFP15?
The VRS DFP15 makes 15Nm for less money. The Forte adds 3Nm and the upgrade ladder to 27Nm. If you know you'll climb later, the Forte; if 15Nm is your ceiling, save the difference.
Does the Forte work on console?
No. PC only. For an 18Nm base with a console license, the Fanatec ClubSport DD+ is the closest equivalent.