After promoting a big announcement for a few days, CEO Andre Eriksen has delivered as Asetek launch a range of new products and upgrades, including a new entry-level range which will be console compatible, free firmware updates and 360Hz iRacing compatability, and selling button boxes rather than wheels to improve the cost and upgradability of the Asetek range.
T.H.O.R.P II
The new Asetek Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P II and Invicta T.H.O.R.P II pedals use a new brake cylinder which has been in development for two years. It’s manufactured by an automotive company which specialises in brake and clutch cylinders, and like the original, it should be reliable for more than one million activations.
Adjustability is the main reason for the new design, as you can swap elastomers and select the right combination of the supplied end stops by unscrewing the top of the cylinder rather than having to crawl around your rig to make changes. There’s also an extra hole in the pedal arm to mount the brake lower and get even less resistance.
If you haven’t heard of the Twin Hydraulic Opposing Rapid Pistons (T.H.O.R.P) System, it’s a hydraulic brake cylinder which allows for a more realistic feel of a soft stage followed by a harder feel when the pressure has built up in a real brake system.
Both sets are available now, with the Invicta Pedals T.H.O.R.P II costing €799.99, and the S-Series priced at €849.99
Asetek Wheels and Upgrades
There are a new range of free and paid products and upgrades now available. For example, a free La Prima firmware release will let you now add any of the paddle options from the Forte and Invicta range.
And in the same software update, the ability to access a 33% power increase from 12Nm to 16Nm will become available if you purchase a new power supply for €199.99. Compared to the Forte range, you’ll only have 2Nm less, along with missing out on the USB functionality and LED strips.
Asetek has also introduced a new universal quick release with a coiled USB cable to allow you to use Asetek wheels and button boxes with any brand of wheelbase using a generic bolt pattern.
There’s a new layout for the Forte button box, and both the La Prima and Forte can be customised with your choice of aluminium buttons, either supplied or purchased separately from the Invicta range of colours.
Along with a new dished suede rim, Asetek is going to focus on selling button boxes rather than wheels, which will make it easier to continually upgrade and improve your sim racing set-up over time.
New Entry-Level Asetek Initium Range
Possibly the most exciting news is that there will be a new entry-level Asetek Initium range of products, which aims to offer an entire sim racing set-up for less than the price of an Invicta wheel. Which means a wheelbase, pedal set, wheel, rig and seat.
This is going to be acheived using less exotic materials than the existing Asetek products, but it’s also where the console-compatibility will be introduced. And the first product in the new Asetek Initium range is a hybrid GT and formula rig capable of handling forces up to the most powerful Asetek wheelbase, the Invicta 27Nm, with minimal flex.
It’ll be adjustable, and comes with caster wheels at either the front or back if you need to be able to move it. There’s also a foldable seat to help store it when you’re not racing, and a monitor mount will be available as an optional extra. It’s not available yet, but the price will be €399.99. Given that the Invicta wheel prices start from €1,249.99, it gives a slight indication to the combined price for the Initium wheel, pedals and wheelbase.
What’s available now?
If you want to order straight away, the Asetek webshop and resellers will already be able to offer the following:
- Asetek Formula Button Box €499.99
- Asetek Forte GT Button Box €339.99
- Asetek Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P II pedals €849.99
- Asetek Invicta T.H.O.R.P II pedals €799.99
- Asetek Dished Suede Rim €134.99
- Asetek La Prima Formula Button Box €259.99
- Asetek La prima GT Button Box €234.99
- Asetek Formula Regular Handles €74.99
Along with the rest of the Initium range, there was also a clear mention in the video that Asetek are working on other hardware with reference to the dished suede rim for rallying, and judging by the actions it’s a handbrake (or possibly a sequential shifter).
In any case, you can find Astek products directly from the Asetek SimSports Webshop, or through retailers like Overclockers. Find all the latest news on Sim Racing wheels and pedals, here, and on the latest sim rigs, here.
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