Thrustmaster Unveils One More Detail of Upcoming Direct Drive Wheelbase

Thrustmaster Direct Drive Quick Release 02.jpg
Right on schedule for January 20th, Thrustmaster shared a detail about their upcoming direct drive wheelbase.

Thrustmaster has chosen an interesting marketing campaign for their upcoming direct drive wheelbase. While we commonly see a short buildup followed by an availability date for most new sim racing hardware, TM has chosen instead to release only a trickle of information.

A post in late December was our first tease of the hexagon shaped wheelbase, and Thrustmaster promised to share more details on January 20th. True to their word, we now know a little more about the product.

Those seeking a price, availability date, torque ratings or other highly anticipated information will surely be disappointed by what was revealed today. All Thrustmaster chose to share today was a glimpse at the new quick release system.


The news shared here was brief, though not insignificant. Having shared previously that the upcoming DD wheelbase would be compatible with existing Thrustmaster add-ons, concerns were raised in the community about the strength of the existing plastic coupling mechanism used on TM wheels when subjected to the forces of a direct drive wheelbase. The new quick release system has a locking feature, which could help stabilize the coupling.

The next batch of news is due on the 3rd of March. What the next announcement will focus on is anyone's guess, but those in the market for a DD wheelbase and holding off their purchase until more is revealed from Thrustmaster will surely be hoping for significantly more information.

Do you have any interest in the Thrustmaster direct drive wheelbase? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

Comments

Well, I think it is out of place to keep teasing; they say in june last year it would come out by the end of 2021.
They can't make that, okay, but than you do not keep teasing, saying: "we promised it would be there, but you can wait longer because we messed up and now we are rubbing it in!"

Furthermore; the new quick release.
Why should I -for one- bother to stay with TM? I have a modified F1 wheel and that was the only reason I wanted to wait out the DD from TM.
Now, for me as for others, there is no reason anymore; I can go to Fanatec or any other brand as I have to buy the wheel again anyway.

So, pissing people off with rubbing it in they have to wait a long time and cut off the only thing that binded buyers; not a smart move I think.
 
i guess the product still isnt done so they are stalling :p
I’ve worked on so many consumer tech product launches I’ve lost count. Some were amazing and the launches were very successful, some were terrible.

This is the sort of thing we would do when we knew the product wasn’t going to cut it.

I’m not saying this is what TM are doing here but this tactic reminds me of some bad times in my career.

Hopefully it’s not the case. The more quality choices out there the better in my opinion.
 
Well, I think it is out of place to keep teasing; they say in june last year it would come out by the end of 2021.
They can't make that, okay, but than you do not keep teasing, saying: "we promised it would be there, but you can wait longer because we messed up and now we are rubbing it in!"

Furthermore; the new quick release.
Why should I -for one- bother to stay with TM? I have a modified F1 wheel and that was the only reason I wanted to wait out the DD from TM.
Now, for me as for others, there is no reason anymore; I can go to Fanatec or any other brand as I have to buy the wheel again anyway.

So, pissing people off with rubbing it in they have to wait a long time and cut off the only thing that binded buyers; not a smart move I think.
I agree I tought They were going to reveal it but another tease. So I will just pre order fanatec at least then I don't have to wait to find out if it's good.
 
Premium
If they are clever, they will provide just enough information close to the release of the new gran turismo to hold people off from "insta buying" the fanatec combo.
And then release it in a similar time frame to the ps5 "base only" package from fanatec that will arrive at some point this year.

Thrustmaster has quite a gran turismo legacy so they know what's needed for that game and how to keep people happy.

It would be very interesting if they would release a "not so toy like" combo and advertise it with "full gt7 compatible".

Using the loss of the contract with polyphony to their advantage :D

I might jump in their wagon then since fanatec somehow manages to not produce the perfect rim for me (30cm, round or D, ergonomic mouldings and lots of buttons).

Not sure what to do with my v3 pedals though.. I'd like to get ps5 compatibility... So I'd need a single USB afaik? Not fancying the t-lcm..
 
With all this teasing, i expect this wheel to as good and cheaper than Fanatec CSL DD ....if not TM are not ready to redeem themselves from the sucker punch from Fanatec.

Maybe Thursmater need to start sniffing at Microsoft's door.
 
The next gen quickrelease from Fanatec is gonna be a real next gen.

This looks like a plastic clamp for plastic steering wheels, doubt that can deal with any real DD forces.
 
With all this teasing, i expect this wheel to as good and cheaper than Fanatec CSL DD ....if not TM are not ready to redeem themselves from the sucker punch from Fanatec.

Maybe Thursmater need to start sniffing at Microsoft's door.
I reckon they will match Fanatec's price,too tight to go lower.
 
Premium
My guess is they will be more expensive,less powerful and have a lower build quality.

There strength is in mass production,name recognition and distribution, Meaning they will be available for customers walking into large retailers with cash in hand.
 
As a CSL DD very happy user, I understand Thrustmaster predicament and hope they find in them self to produce something to compete against the mighty new Direct Drive Fanatec wheel base.
This silly marketing ploy will probably not make any difference, they have been caught sleeping at the wheel, (pun intended). :p
 
By the time they actually ship, the market will already be saturated by Fanatec CSL/DD, SimMagic and Simicube. Too little, too late it looks like.
 
I'm reading all these comments and still trying to figure out why everyone is "Thrustmaster" or "Fanatec".. People, for the same damn price as this mass produced 8nm Fanatec wheelbase, the boost kit and a wheel, you can get yourself the AccuForce V2 13nm complete set that comes with a wheel and arguably the best damn software in the industry.. Ok.. Maybe it's an additional $100.. Maybe.. But that depends on which wheel from Fanatec that you buy. Either way folks, there are way better options out there than these 2 companies.
 
Well DD is really supposed to be about the feel you get as opposed to belts and gears. So even if it's only 5-6nm, it will be DD. So they can try to undercut Fanatec and still be DD. Maybe it's just their way of saying "technology for sim is now DD and we have to join". Kinda like the cycling industry forcing everyone to have disc brakes on road bikes because "they are better in the wet". :whistling:
 

Latest News

Article information

Author
Mike Smith
Article read time
2 min read
Views
16,381
Comments
50
Last update

Online or Offline racing?

  • 100% online racing

    Votes: 86 7.4%
  • 75% online 25% offline

    Votes: 123 10.6%
  • 50% online 50% offline

    Votes: 170 14.6%
  • 25% online 75% offline

    Votes: 322 27.7%
  • 100% offline racing

    Votes: 456 39.3%
  • Something else, explain in comment

    Votes: 4 0.3%
Back
Top