Thrustmaster T818 Direct Drive Wheelbase Revealed

Thrustmaster T818 Revealed 01.jpg
Thrustmaster’s first direct drive wheelbase has been revealed on a Twitch stream after a long marketing campaign.

After a long marketing campaign which gave sim racers only a trickle of teaser images, Thrustmaster’s first direct drive wheelbase, the T818, has now been revealed.

Thrustmaster’s Twitch channel was host to a reveal showcase hosted by marketing manager Tim Gorham. Viewers got their first look at the hexagonal wheelbase, which houses a motor rated for 10Nm of constant torque.

The T818 has a new quick release, which allows fast and easy switching between various wheels in the Thrustmaster’s ecosystem. The wheelbase is designed for PC only at this time, but future editions are planned for console. Thrustmaster also teased future products by mentioning an RJ45 port on the base which will not be used yet, but gives connectivity options for upcoming products.

And speaking of upcoming products, there are four new wheel rims expected from Thrustmaster in 2023. These wheels may be included with the T818 in future bundles.

The wheelbase includes a customizable light strip at the front of the base, which can be customized or disabled depending on user preference. Another customization option offered by the T818 are exchangeable metal plates for the side.

For pricing, the T818 wheelbase alone will cost $649.99/€649.99, and pre-orders are now open on the Thrustmaster EU e-shop. If and when the T818 sells out, a second wave will be available at the end of December. The first wave of orders for the US market should be ready for order in March of 2023.

What are your thoughts on this wheelbase? Would you order one for yourself? Why or why not? Let us know 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

I’m actually quite interested in this. I bought into Simucube earlier this year but honestly I’ve been disappointed with it - It works great in ACC and, surprisingly, F1 22, but in everything else it just feels like an over tensioned bungie cord. My TS-PC, however, felt good in everything.

So I’m thinking of “downgrading” again
 
650 + rim puts it in an odd price point. It's not competing on price with the likes of moza r9. It's getting towards asetek prima territory and although that's still an untested wheel as such I can't think that it's going to be bad especially given it's using simucube IP. I just can't see who is going to be the market for this, unless you already have the sf1000 wheel then what do you have to gain by going with TM?
 
I need more info about this wheelbase. But from the info in this article it seems too bulky. The new quick release seems to have parts made in plastic (I hope that it is just only the illumination of the picture) and lacks any resemblance with a real life quick release.

The 10Nm are the Schrodinger Newton-meter, the torque is enough and not until Thrustmaster releases that info bit. If the wheel still can output peaks of power above 10Nm then it is a decent wheelbase, if it peaks at 10 then we have 2 alternatives not that much worse that are cheaper.

I still need more info about this wheelbase, new info could change my mind. But as it stands now, to me it seems that Logitech and Thrustmaster blew it and Fanatec and Moza understood better the budget DD market needs.
 
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But a very good value for all of us, users of old T500 with 2 or 3 rims already
Well I've got the t300. But if I bought the 818 and used my existing rim I wouldn't be able to sell on my existing setup so well. Plus all the TM rims up to now bar the sf1000 are cheap rubbish.
 
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Well, looks are subjective. I prefer if my wheelbase and rims look like "equipment" rather than toys. Equally, I don't like toy-ish look of Moza wheel with the display.

If are already in their ecosystem, like TGT which provides a good FFB, have a wheel rim you like, it's the perfect upgrade for the price. If you're upgrading to Moza or Fanatec, you'll have to buy a wheel too, and the price will go up, but in the end, you'll be paying a similar amount.
It is my case, having bought multiples rims including the SF1000!
But a very good value for all of us, users of old T500 with 2 or 3 rims already
Been rocking my 350 euros T300RS since 2015, so yeah it's worth it! Instant preorder for me, finally an upgrade, I can't wait for Christmas!
 
Premium
Well, as I expected, nothing out of the ordinary. Price seems fair'ish, but we are missing a bunch of information - rims, specs (other than nm), mounting, periphirals, connectivity, future plans, software etc.
 
The 10Nm are the Schrodinger Newton-meter, the torque is enough and not
On the presentation they said: "we don't apply any filter on the FFB sent directly from the games"
And from the chat:
"818 can deliver a constant 10Nm torque. The whole construction of T818 has been optimized to limit extra weight and takes all benefits from the power of the motor. For this reason, The T818 torque will feel even more powerful underhand"
Will see on the first reviews :)
 
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Do you need the mounting kit for a sim rig? Surely it has threads on the bottom anyway? Got the playseat trophy.
 
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But a very good value for all of us, users of old T500 with 2 or 3 rims already
People seem to forget this is the first Thrustmaster wheel that will be available for web purchase ONLY.
The major advantage TM had over Fanatec is now gone.
No more retail sale.
Hello shipping, customs and VAT.
Good value my a...
Maybe for the French folks.
 
D
Order now, get in 4-5 months. Fanatec no stock now. Wow.
 
When I bought my T300 in 2015 for like 250€ I expected that in 2023 I will get a direct drive for the same price. T300s sell for 350€ instead currently, and anything high end costs insane prices.

(This DD wheelbase seems to be the best deal though if one already has TM peripherals, but don't kid ourselves, there will be problems with availability for a long time.)

Where is the progression in value? Because I don't see any...
Man, I can't get excited about simracing anymore...
 
People seem to forget this is the first Thrustmaster wheel that will be available for web purchase ONLY.
The major advantage TM had over Fanatec is now gone.
No more retail sale.
TM's moderator in the reveal stream said it will eventually be sold in retail as a bundle.
I bought into Simucube earlier this year but honestly I’ve been disappointed with it - It works great in ACC and, surprisingly, F1 22, but in everything else it just feels like an over tensioned bungie cord.
A Simucube feels like an over-tensioned bungie cord?! That's certainly not how I'd describe it. Far from it, in fact. My SC2P feels awesome and ultra responsive and is superior in every way to the T-GT (a PS compatible TS-PC equivalent) I upgraded from.

With all due respect, either you're doing something wrong, or your base is broken.
 
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