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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Angus Martin
Motorsport gets my blood pumping more than anything else. Be it physical or virtual, I'm down to bang doors.

Comments

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.
It's available in Canada now. Simulation1 and Advanced Sim Racing have them in stock, Merry Christmas.
 
Who cares if the car it's based on is phased out? This rim design/layout is similar to many others, like the Mclaren Fanatec and ideal as a GT/Prototypes/Formula all rounder

I was considering a upgrade to DD but there's nothing wrong with my ts-pc to be honest . . . I may get this.
 
It's available in Canada now. Simulation1 and Advanced Sim Racing have them in stock, Merry Christmas.
Thanks, but you didn't read my post properly.

I just want the T818 base, not the Ferrari T818.

Plus Amazon.ca is selling that combo for cheaper @ $1350 than the two links in your post

Thrustmaster T818 Ferrari SF1000 Simulator, Direct Drive, Sim Racing Force Feedback Racing Wheel for PC, Officially Licensed by Ferrari (PC) https://a.co/d/6upSMT5
 
Seems a bit odd to launch a 488 replica when the car has already been replaced by the 296... It's not like it's a classic.
 
Who cares if the car it's based on is phased out? This rim design/layout is similar to many others, like the Mclaren Fanatec and ideal as a GT/Prototypes/Formula all rounder

I was considering a upgrade to DD but there's nothing wrong with my ts-pc to be honest . . . I may get this.


If the only thing you care about is general layout for the category, why pay extra for a licensed product?

On the TS-PC wheel; that one has the LMP style wheel, right? What are your thoughts on it? I might pick up the wheel rim itself for my T500 as I don't have an LMP/Formula rim right now.
 
No at all, and I dont play only sim, I play with Dirt 5, the crew 2, the crew Motorfest.......Thrustmaster, I trust the master, not Moza;)
The master of poor quality you mean. Worst QC on the market.

T300 died 4 months into ownership. Had to mod a laptop power brick because the power supply is so poorly designed and low quality.

TLCM, had to RMA twice to get one unit that does not have load cell sensor that read more than 20 with 0 pressure applied.
 
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.
Well, bad and cheap is what thrustmaster does best. Although not so much cheap for their rims.
 
Who cares if the car it's based on is phased out? This rim design/layout is similar to many others, like the Mclaren Fanatec and ideal as a GT/Prototypes/Formula all rounder

I was considering a upgrade to DD but there's nothing wrong with my ts-pc to be honest . . . I may get this.
the ts pc racer is sometimes better than the t818 with some games, like WRC generation or WRC 10....far better
 
Yeah - there's the T300 and then there's the TS PC - BIG difference in reliability and torque with 7.2nm. Going to get this 488 rim myself for my TS PC. What I would like to know more about is the 2 quick release adaptors that come with it - I'm guessing this is something new and different functionally for the TS PC so maybe it's a proper quick release for it or maybe not...
 
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Yeah - there's the T300 and then there's the TS PC - BIG difference in reliability and torque with 7.2nm. Going to get this 488 rim myself for my TS PC. What I would like to know more about is the 2 quick release adaptors that come with it - I'm guessing this is something new and different functionally for the TS PC so maybe it's a proper quick release for it or maybe not...
it's the new and the old quick system fix, 4 bolts to switch, nothing wrong or hard
 
all you have todo is go to TM site and READ!
both QRs in the pack
F488GT3_1580x960_Lifestyle_5.jpg

when mine arrives i'll create a 70mm Adapter for my Simagic QR
 
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Premium
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
Yeah, and for only $250. They should have charged $2500 and forced people to import it across three countries after months on a waiting list, then they would have our respect.
 
Bought this and now have this on my rig and it's a BIG upgrade. The paddle shifter are rock solid and magnetic and there is no flex. All of the buttons are just right as are the dials and for £200 this is a really really good buy. It's a 1.1 size of the real 488 rim at 31cm. The FFB has been improved on my TC PC as well using this - no regrets.
 
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Mm.... take it back. I have bought 2 of these for my 2 rigs and one works fine and on the other the right paddle shifter disconnects after a short period of use. Both PC's have different motherboards but the same OS - tried USB2 and USB3 and the shifter still disconnecting and also reinstalled and updated the driver and firmware. Never disconnected on my TS PC rim default Ferrari rim. Don't suppose anyone knows whether this could be a windows software thing rather than returning it to TM as a hardware thing
 

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