PXN has been working to expand its lineup and show that it wants to be more than a source of affordable hardware for beginner sim racers. At SimRacing Expo in Frankfurt, we got a close look at several upcoming products and the chance to try some of them. The company had already unveiled them at Gamescom, but this time they were also available to other players and members of the community who compete in sim racing professionally.
However, not everything is finished yet. Some products are not due to arrive until the first quarter of 2027, so the units on show may not represent the final design. Materials, build quality and software features could still change before release. The impressions below are therefore based on current prototypes and pre-production versions, not final retail units.
One of the main new products is the PXN S16 wheelbase, which shows how the manufacturer is advancing its direct-drive lineup. What stood out to me most during testing at the expo was the quality and precision of its force feedback. That is crucial for this kind of hardware, as it determines how well the wheelbase conveys what is happening on the track and the forces acting on the virtual car. Its 16 Nm of torque is enough, and the driving felt authentic and fun. I also tried PXN’s wheelbase at the end of the day, when I’d had enough of all the 20 Nm+ wheelbases that you sometimes really have to wrestle with. This will be more than enough for fans of virtual racing.
The PXN S23 aims even higher, but it wasn’t available to try at the expo. I spoke with company representatives about its planned features, and so far it looks like PXN wants to enter a price segment where established manufacturers already have strong competition. It will be interesting to see how the company fares against brands that have built a solid reputation among demanding sim racing enthusiasts over the years.
The PXN W FC and PXN W FS formula-style wheels drew plenty of attention. Both are aimed at players who want key information right in front of them and the ability to configure controls to suit their needs. The main differences are in the materials, features and, of course, price.
The flagship W FC is designed with premium build quality and customization in mind. Its design is reminiscent of the wheels found in modern formula racing cockpits, and PXN uses real carbon fiber for both the front plate and rear cover. The construction is complemented by titanium screws and a CNC-machined anodized quick-release system. The grip material didn’t feel quite as good to me as that of some other top-end wheels I tried that day, but it wasn’t bad either. It could also change before release.
The centerpiece is a 4.3-inch touchscreen with a customizable interface, designed to serve as an information hub while driving. It also features self-centering toggle switches, 12-position thumb encoders and adjustable shifters with Hall-effect sensors. PXN is targeting the premium segment with this model, which is expected to cost around €1,000. The price is reflected in the number of controls and the extensive customization options.
The PXN W FS is a more affordable alternative that aims to retain much of the more expensive model’s feature set. It measures 290 mm in diameter and its design is similar to formula-style wheels inspired by the McLaren team. The construction uses a CNC-machined aluminum alloy, while the front panel has a carbon-fiber-effect texture.
The more affordable model also offers a configurable 4.3-inch display, 15 RPM indicator LEDs and six flag indicator lights. There are up to six paddles on the rear, four of which use a carbon-fiber construction and Hall-effect sensors. The wheel supports SimHub as well as the manufacturer’s own software.
Price could be its biggest advantage. PXN plans to sell the W FS for around €300, which is a very interesting price given its features and display. Of course, the final build quality, materials and how well the entire system works in practice will also matter.
Sim racing isn’t just about driving on circuits, and PXN wants to make that clear with the W TS, aimed at fans of Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. Unlike smaller racing wheels, it has a standard 400 mm diameter and a frame made from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy. The surface is covered in hand-stitched Ultrasuede, which has a soft, suede-like feel.
Its most prominent feature is 34 buttons for controlling truck functions. It also has a mechanical click-button horn, with the aim of making the controls feel as close as possible to a real cockpit. The manufacturer plans to sell the wheel separately, and its QR quick-release system should make it compatible with wheelbases from other brands.
A complete bundle for beginner truck sim players is also planned for the first quarter of 2027. It will include a 6 Nm direct-drive wheelbase, the W TS wheel, pedals with Hall-effect sensors and an adjustable desk mount. The price is not yet known.
PXN doesn’t want to limit itself to racing sims. At the expo, it also unveiled the new modular NAVOS ecosystem, which covers both civilian and military aviation. The components will be connected through PXN NEXUS software, allowing players to build their own control setup to suit the simulators they play.
The civilian setup is built around a yoke system that resembles a real aircraft’s control yoke, paired with a control module featuring throttle and mixture quadrants. It also supports levers for multi-engine aircraft. The setup can be expanded with a Console & Radio panel featuring a 5.89-inch color display, which is designed to show flight instruments, radio frequencies, navigation information and simulator telemetry.
For military simulators such as DCS World, PXN is preparing the Combat HOTAS setup. It consists of a joystick and a separate throttle, and offers up to 11 axes and 61 programmable inputs. The main axes use contactless Hall-effect sensors, which reduce mechanical wear and issues common with traditional potentiometers. The lineup is rounded out by all-metal rudder pedals with adjustable resistance and pedal spacing.
PXN clearly aims to appeal to a wider range of simulation enthusiasts—from people who want to try a direct-drive wheelbase without a major investment to players building complete formula, truck or flight cockpits. The pricing of its formula-style wheels is particularly interesting, as the company wants to offer a display and an extensive feature set in a more affordable segment as well.
For now, though, expectations should remain measured. Some products are still awaiting release, and the demo versions may change. The PXN S16 has already shown at the expo that the company can make a very good wheelbase with precise force feedback, but more expensive products will also need to impress with their build quality, software support and long-term reliability. That will determine whether PXN can stand alongside brands that have a head start in this segment.
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