MOZA R16 Ultra 16Nm Direct Drive Wheelbase

MOZA R16 Ultra Direct Drive Wheelbase — 16Nm sustained torque, with up to 18Nm peak torque available through MOZA's free software unlock, for just £499. This is an exceptionally compelling specification for the price and a strong option for sim racers seeking powerful, detailed steering feedback without stepping into a considerably more expensive wheelbase.

The R16 Ultra combines a high-density flat-wire motor, 21-bit magnetic encoder, 600MHz processor and MOZA's NexGen Force Feedback Algorithm U1. Its smooth, low-cogging steering response can be tailored through MOZA Pit House, while native iRacing 360Hz force feedback and Wheel LFE support allow compatible systems to take advantage of additional detail.

Dual customisable RGB strips support selected live racing telemetry effects. The wheelbase also benefits from MOZA's extensive ecosystem of compatible wheels and peripherals, and supports bottom, side and front mounting.

UPSHIFT cockpit compatibility: fully compatible with our R-PRO 80×40 and R-MAX 160×40 aluminium-profile rigs. Windows PC is supported; Xbox requires a compatible officially licensed MOZA ESX wheel. PlayStation is not officially supported.

Steering wheel, pedals and cockpit are sold separately. Full technical specifications are provided below.

Outstanding Direct Drive Torque for £499

At £499, the R16 Ultra offers exceptional direct-drive capability for its price. The MOZA R16 starts with 16 Nm sustained torque and, following MOZA's November 2026 software unlock, can deliver up to 18 Nm peak torque! That is comparable headline peak torque to some substantially more expensive wheelbases, but at a far lower purchase price.

With the appropriate version of MOZA Pit House, updated wheelbase firmware and the torque unlock enabled, the R16 Ultra can reach up to 18Nm peak torque without buying replacement hardware! Using MOZA Pit House 1.4.2.0 or later, an authenticated MOZA account, base firmware 1.2.12 or later and the in-software torque unlock command.

Why choose the MOZA R16 Ultra?

The R16 Ultra combines substantial steering torque with the resolution and processing capacity needed to reproduce small changes in tyre grip, steering load and track surface. Key features include:

• High-density flat-wire motor: designed to improve torque density while reducing cogging for smoother steering feel.
• 21-bit magnetic encoder: 2,097,152 positions per revolution for fine steering-position measurement.
• 600MHz processor: rapid processing of force-feedback commands.
• NexGen Force Feedback Algorithm U1: adjustable feedback through MOZA Pit House.
• Aluminium alloy housing: rigid CNC-machined construction.
• Dual RGB light strips: customisable colours and supported telemetry effects.
• Flexible installation: MOZA specifies bottom, front and side mounting options.
  
  

High-Density Flat-Wire Motor

At the centre of the R16 Ultra is MOZA's latest high-density flat-wire motor. Compared with a conventional winding layout, the design makes more effective use of the available space, helping MOZA package powerful direct-drive hardware in a relatively compact enclosure. MOZA states that the design achieves 12% higher torque density than similarly sized competitors; that is the manufacturer's comparison, not an independent UPSHIFT benchmark.

Its low-cogging design is particularly useful in a sim racing wheelbase. Cogging is the subtle magnetic resistance that can be felt as the motor rotates through individual positions. Reducing it allows smaller forces from the game to be felt more naturally, without the motor's own resistance dominating light steering loads.

The integrated 21-bit magnetic encoder provides 2,097,152 measurement positions per revolution, giving the control system highly granular information about wheel position. High-resolution position sensing is one part of creating consistent, detailed steering response, particularly near the centre and during quick corrections.

A dedicated 600MHz processor processes the game's feedback commands and the wheelbase's control calculations. MOZA designed this pairing to respond quickly to changes in steering demand without sacrificing finer feedback when multiple effects occur together. Encoder resolution and processor speed are useful specifications, although neither alone proves a wheelbase will feel better than every alternative.

Native iRacing 360Hz FFB and Wheel LFE

The R16 Ultra offers native compatibility with iRacing's 360Hz high-frequency force feedback, allowing the wheelbase to receive more frequent force-feedback updates than a lower-frequency output mode. This is particularly relevant when interpreting subtle steering loads, kerb strikes and changes in road texture. MOZA also supports iRacing Wheel LFE, adding compatible low-frequency effects to the wheel output for additional tactile detail.

According to MOZA's iRacing support documentation, both functions are enabled automatically on compatible software. MOZA lists minimum versions of Pit House 1.3.1.50 and wheelbase firmware 1.2.5.5 for these features; current releases may be newer. Both can be disabled if a particular combination of settings produces excessive vibration or unwanted noise. These are specific iRacing features, not a guarantee that every racing game supplies the same data or effects.

NexGen Force Feedback Algorithm U1

MOZA's NexGen Force Feedback Algorithm U1 works alongside the direct-drive motor to shape how steering forces are delivered. Beyond choosing the overall force strength, the software provides control over characteristics such as friction, damping and response. For example, you can aim for lighter, more freely rotating steering in a formula car or more resistance and stability in a road or GT car.

MOZA advertises an expanded friction-intensity adjustment range exceeding 300% and a damping adjustment range exceeding 200% for the Ultra-series tuning system. These figures describe available software adjustment ranges, not an increase in the physical torque rating. Together with the base's 600MHz processor, the algorithm is intended to preserve small changes in tyre load while keeping stronger force-feedback events controlled.

The R16 Ultra also supports force-feedback interpolation. A racing simulator supplies successive force commands, and interpolation can blend the transitions between them rather than allowing each step to feel abrupt. The result is intended to reduce the grainy or notchy sensation sometimes produced by less refined signal delivery, particularly over kerbs and rough track surfaces.

MOZA describes this as an optional processing feature: drivers can assess the effect with their preferred sim and force-feedback settings. The aim is to retain useful information in the steering, rather than simply making every force feel artificially smooth.

Customisable RGB with Telemetry Lighting

Two integrated RGB light strips add a motorsport-inspired finish to the CNC-machined housing. Each supports a palette of 16.7 million colours, allowing the appearance to be tailored to your simulator or kept discreet.

More importantly, supported games can use the lighting for real-time telemetry-driven indications. MOZA lists ABS activity, traction-control intervention, gear shifts and racing flag signals among the supported effects. These can provide glanceable cues, although the precise effects available depend on game telemetry, software configuration and the chosen lighting profile.

MOZA Pit House and Hands-Off Protection

MOZA Pit House is the central configuration software for the R16 Ultra. Drivers can tailor overall force-feedback strength and the behaviour of friction, damping and other feedback effects, then adjust the setup for different cars or racing simulations. MOZA also advertises mobile app and cloud-based configuration support for its ecosystem, offering additional flexibility when managing settings.

Hands-Off Protection is another worthwhile feature on a high-torque wheelbase. When the software detects that the driver has released the steering wheel, it is designed to suppress uncontrolled oscillations and help return the steering to a safe, stable state. It is an additional precaution, not a substitute for secure mounting, sensible force settings or keeping clear of a moving steering wheel.

Compatible with UPSHIFT R-PRO and R-MAX

Despite its behemoth performance, the R16 Ultra measures just 206 × 140 × 135mm, a CNC-machined aluminium alloy body provides rigidity, while MOZA's thermal-management approach is designed to support consistent behaviour through longer sessions. The base supports bottom, front and side mounting, with R-PRO and R-MAX sim rig wheel plates both pre-drilled for this exact wheelbase offering direct, rigid fitment.

MOZA's Ever Expanding Ecosystem

Another advantage is the range of compatible MOZA hardware. The R16 Ultra sits within an extensive ecosystem of formula and GT steering wheels, quick-release accessories, load-cell and hydraulic-style pedal options, shifters, handbrakes and dashboards, with shared device configuration available through MOZA Pit House. This makes it attractive as the foundation of a full simulator: you can select your preferred wheel and controls now, then expand or change the setup later. Always verify compatibility of individual accessories and generations before purchase.

Racing Game and Platform Compatibility

MOZA lists support for a broad selection of PC racing titles, including iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate, Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa EVO, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, RaceRoom, EA SPORTS WRC, DiRT Rally 2.0, Forza Motorsport and recent F1 games. Configuration requirements, force-feedback features and telemetry support vary between titles; some may need initial setup in Pit House.

The R16 Ultra uses MOZA's quick-release ecosystem and provides connections for compatible MOZA pedals, shifters, dashboards, handbrakes and an emergency-stop switch. Wheel, pedals and cockpit are not included with this standalone wheelbase.

Platform Support

• Compatible on Windows PC
• Xbox compatibility requires the officially licensed MOZA ESX steering wheel (sold separately); the R16 wheelbase alone does not provide Xbox support.
• PlayStation compatibility is not officially supported

Please check compatibility with your intended steering wheel and cockpit before ordering.