Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3 Wheel Available for Pre-Order

Thrustmaster 488 GT3 Wheel Pre-order.jpg
Thrustmaster has just announced a new wheel replicating that of the Ferrari 488 GT3. Available now to pre-order, compatible with all TM bases.

Image credit: Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster and Ferrari is a partnership that is seemingly older than time itself. Many sim racers will have experienced their first Force Feedback on a Ferrari-branded Thrustmaster wheel, and the collaboration is still strong today.

In fact, a brand new wheel rim is available for pre-order now bringing the cockpit of the Ferrari 488 GT3 car to your home. A 1:1 scale of the real world model, it features a long list of inputs and is compatible with every Thrustmaster wheel base. But with the real life car no longer racing, will it be popular?

Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3 Wheel Add-on​

Unveiled back in April, the Ferrari 488 GT3 wheel is a standalone wheel rim compatible with any Thrustmaster base. In fact, thanks to a pair of quick release systems, one can mount this unique model to either the new T818 Direct Drive base, or older models such as the T500 we highlighted in our used wheel guide.

F488GT3_1580x960_Lifestyle_2-1024x622.jpg

The new wheel is available for the new T818 and older wheel bases. Image credit: Thrustmaster

Perfectly replicating the real life wheel, it features as many as 11 buttons, two rotary encoders, a pair of thumb encoders and a D-pad. In addition to the many inputs, players will receive information from a quartet of LED lights placed at the top of the face plate.

At 1:1 scale and featuring a diameter of 31cm, it is certainly not small in sim racing terms. But feeling much more like a real wheel rather than the shrunk down versions the brand typically releases, the immersion is sure to be heightened. Magnetic shifters will be a popular addition for those that enjoy a satisfying shift click.

F488GT3_1580x960_Lifestyle_4-1024x622.jpg

Magnetic shifter will make for good clicks on the TM Ferrari 488 GT3 wheel. Image credit: Thrustmaster

Available For Pre-order​

Despite being announced over five months ago, the Ferrari 488 wheel is just now available for pre-order. However, shipping will not begin before 26 October. This latest model to the Thrustmaster range alongside the SF1000-inspired wheel will cost €249.99, £199.99 or $249.99.

However, the new 296 GT3 replaced the 488 model this year. It is appearing in more and more simulators like Assetto Corsa Competizione. So with the wheel’s relevance exponentially dropping, how popular will it be? Only time will tell.

Will you get the Ferrari 488 GT3 wheel by Thrustmaster? Tell us in the comments down below!
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About author
Angus Martin
Angus Martin
Motorsport gets my blood pumping more than anything else. Be it physical or virtual, I'm down to bang doors.

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Comments

T
I have pre ordered it with t818, I have simucube 2 but I want a 2nd rig for games with no simucube 2 support, like the crew 2....

And the 31cm diameter is perfect, I get bored with my 28cm ascher wheel.
Moza is moza, I like the Ferrari prestigious and luxurious design, and Thrustmaster is the king with compatibility for the games, won't buy a Moza for second wheel, the compatibility with the games is far worst than Simucube 2
 
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Johnr777
TeddyBearx said:
I have pre ordered it with t818, I have simucube 2 but I want a 2nd rig for games with no simucube 2 support

And the 31cm diameter is perfect, I get bored with my 28cm ascher wheel.
Moza is moza, I like the Ferrari prestigious and luxurious design, and Thrustmaster is the king with compatibility for the games, won't buy a Moza for second wheel, the compatibility with the games is far worst than Simucube 2
Click to expand...
Not sure where you get your information from, but Moza is compatible with all current sims.

And funny! This has to be the most basic prestigious and luxurious design ever
 
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G
In the far past I've bought a Thrustmaster Ferrari wheel, it was the worst that I've had. The plastic of the wheel made many loud cracking sounds every single corner. It was around 600 euro including the wheelbase but it felt even much worse than the Logitech G29/920 or whatever it's called, returned it instantly. I hope that they improved their quality control.
 
T
gamma123152 said:
In the far past I've bought a Thrustmaster Ferrari wheel, it was the worst that I've had. The plastic of the wheel made many loud cracking sounds every single corner. It was around 600 euro including the wheelbase but it felt even much worse than the Logitech G29/920 or whatever it's called, returned it instantly. I hope that they improved their quality control.
Click to expand...
the ts pc is far better any logitech, I think you may have a bad unit or a cheap version, my old ts pc racer was so much better than the awfull g29
 
SixxeGunnar
After having a poor quality built SF1000 (grips fell apart) and poor response through Thrustmaster I'll pass. They would not repair an under warranty wheel and sent me e-instruction pdf to open my Ferrari led displayed wheel and do the repairs myself.

Having used TM products for years (bought the original F1 Addon rim when released), this left a sour taste and I felt totally left out in the cold. They will never get another penny from me.
 
andrewaugust93
classic turdmaster move. Releases something out of nowhere, just as that something becomes slightly less relevant. 488 just got replaced in the world of GT3
 
hazardic
daayyym.. once i got the replica of it from orion finally tm releases the one...
 

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T
Johnr777 said:
Not sure where you get your information from, but Moza is compatible with all current sims.

And funny! This has to be the most basic prestigious and luxurious design ever
Click to expand...
I dont like Moza, the games compatibility is worst than Simucube 2 and Thrustmastger compatibility is the king

SixxeGunnar said:
After having a poor quality built SF1000 (grips fell apart) and poor response through Thrustmaster I'll pass. They would not repair an under warranty wheel and sent me e-instruction pdf to open my Ferrari led displayed wheel and do the repairs myself.

Having used TM products for years (bought the original F1 Addon rim when released), this left a sour taste and I felt totally left out in the cold. They will never get another penny from me.
Click to expand...
I would feel the same with 350€ for the SF1000n I like the new wheel for 250€ and new quick release
 
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Johnr777
TeddyBearx said:
I dont like Moza, the games compatibility is worst than Simucube 2 and Thrustmastger compatibility is the king


I would feel the same with 350€ for the SF1000n I like the new wheel for 250€ and new quick release
Click to expand...
Again... where's your source for game compatibility? Or better yet, what game you own and play that Moza isnt compatible with?
 
T
Johnr777 said:
Again... where's your source for game compatibility? Or better yet, what game you own and play that Moza isnt compatible with?
Click to expand...
check and come, are the crew 2, the crew Motorsport compatible with Moza ? Dirt 5 ? Dakar ? I h ave so much issues (driver software and hardware)with a simple H Moza shifter, I wont try again with more hardware.

I admit the Moza base and wheels feel temptating, but not when you have a simucube 2, for a second base I will buy thrustmaster, never fanatec too.
 
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Kurupt CDN
Still waiting on Thrustmaster to release the T818 base by itself here in Canada.

Currently, we can only get the T818 Ferrari package for $1500

Hopefully, it will become available around Christmas, if not I may consider a Moza bundle.
 
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G
TeddyBearx said:
the ts pc is far better any logitech, I think you may have a bad unit or a cheap version, my old ts pc racer was so much better than the awfull g29
Click to expand...
That's what I read everywhere indeed but in reality it was horrible, plastic cracking and squeecking every corner, not mild but loud. Felt that it wasn't worth more than 100 euro but it was their best at the time, maybe it was indeed a bad unit because I don't think that many would accept such bad quality for such a price point.

Logitech G29 or something was OK for the price point at that time(I don't know now, how it compares, it was long ago) but it will also be horrible of course if you have a serious wheelbase/wheel/pedals. But for 220 euro it was okay.
 
David Mann
I would buy this wheel if TM implemented the "WASHER" and "DRINK" functions on a wheel base.
 
DC WOLF
its compatible to all older TM bases, so i think its no (big) problem to convert it to USB and attach a common QR.
sounds amazing
 
Mr Latte
Premium
@Logitech, grrrrrrrr, as a G PRO owner, and a year past since its release. Well gees, it must be nice to own a wheelbase that has additional wheelrim options.

Kudos to Thrustmaster
I think Logitech have fell asleep at the wheel.
 
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P
Releasing a 488 wheel (done ad nauseaum by countless builders) when the 296 has already replaced it. Perfect match for their T818 at all possible levels.
 
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T
The grip material looks bad/cheap (like the McLaren Wheel from Fanatec) and i fear it might not feel good to the touch if you are not driving with gloves on.
 

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