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.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1484164039009873927

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.
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About author
Mike Smith
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

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Comments

Wolf_XII
Well, that's what we call the "Salamitaktik" in Germany, because information is handed out one slice at a time...and it's not a compliment, as most people employing that tactic usually have something to hide or drag things out.

As for the Quick-release, well you can rather easily switch out the plastic "Quick-release" on the current Thrustmaster Wheels for replacement parts, so it should be doable for TM to replace the old system with a new one. If they don't, they are stupid.

@Badwheels I don't get that, as my hydraulic rim brakes work just fine, even in rain. Hydraulic brakes on the other hand are the real performance improvement, giving you a very precise brake feel....kinda like the loadcell or rather hydraulic brake pedals in Simracing. ;)

@Defender True, I mean he was rather complimentary of the SHH Shifter and that was great buy for me. No reason to get a TH8A with that one around. Great shifter, especially for that price.
 
P
Defender said:
What the hell are you even talking about.. Accuforce V2 wheel system, SimForge pedals (which cost the same as the Fanatec V3s and are about 30 times better).. and maybe an Aiolog shifter.. The point is, it's all cheaper (and better quality) than the mass produced Fanatec stuff. And costs the same or less.
Click to expand...
You obviously love your Accuforce and that is fine, you seem to find offence in my comment that I don't understand. Fanatec and Thurstmaster have complete ecosystems and in those ecosystems they have many many choices unlike Accuforce unless you want to tell me different. And yes you could buy an array of aftermarket wheels but then you miss the the point of mass market products which is to buy in one place, plug it in and just play. Your comment on 30 times better means nothing sorry for repeating myself but I own all Fanatec gear coming from a G29 and the only thing that's better is the quality and immersion. If I owned Accuforce and moved up to the top tier products I'm sure it would be slightly better quality and immersion again. But I know for a fact I'm not going to be 30 times better driver then Logitech uses. This is just sim racing and people have budgets, the masses will buy mass products irrespective of perceived quality.
 
D
pal77 said:
You obviously love your Accuforce and that is fine, you seem to find offence in my comment that I don't understand. Fanatec and Thurstmaster have complete ecosystems and in those ecosystems they have many many choices unlike Accuforce unless you want to tell me different. And yes you could buy an array of aftermarket wheels but then you miss the the point of mass market products which is to buy in one place, plug it in and just play. Your comment on 30 times better means nothing sorry for repeating myself but I own all Fanatec gear coming from a G29 and the only thing that's better is the quality and immersion. If I owned Accuforce and moved up to the top tier products I'm sure it would be slightly better quality and immersion again. But I know for a fact I'm not going to be 30 times better driver then Logitech uses. This is just sim racing and people have budgets, the masses will buy mass products irrespective of perceived quality.
Click to expand...
Obviously you didnt understand my comment.. and No, I don't own an Accuforce (at least not yet). I was simply stating that everyone is all up and raving about this 8nm fantatec wheel, but the way they priced it out in pieces makes you think your saving money. The Accuforce is a much stronger DD with ridiculously good software.. and depending on which wheel you buy for your Fanatec, is the same damn price.. That's all I was saying.
 
M
Thrustmaster is good company.
I were satisfied with products from them. But teasing like this?
 
Badwheels
Defender said:
Obviously you didnt understand my comment.. and No, I don't own an Accuforce (at least not yet). I was simply stating that everyone is all up and raving about this 8nm fantatec wheel, but the way they priced it out in pieces makes you think your saving money. The Accuforce is a much stronger DD with ridiculously good software.. and depending on which wheel you buy for your Fanatec, is the same damn price.. That's all I was saying.
Click to expand...
So if you don't have Accuforce, how to do you know they have "ridiculously good software" ?
 
kondor999
I love my TS-XW (still going after 4 years and tons of use) and still have 2 other TM bases that have never once failed. They also have great driver support and it's easy to get warranty service ( I hear!). Bottom line is that I've been waiting for a DD from them. I realize that others may have had different experiences, but when you've owned 3 different wheel bases and not one of them ever had an issue over a 9 year period - that's a brand you stay with.
 
P
Defender said:
Obviously you didnt understand my comment.. and No, I don't own an Accuforce (at least not yet). I was simply stating that everyone is all up and raving about this 8nm fantatec wheel, but the way they priced it out in pieces makes you think your saving money. The Accuforce is a much stronger DD with ridiculously good software.. and depending on which wheel you buy for your Fanatec, is the same damn price.. That's all I was saying.
Click to expand...
Well I can't disagree or argue with that comment and opinion.
 
D
kondor999 said:
I love my TS-XW (still going after 4 years and tons of use) and still have 2 other TM bases that have never once failed. They also have great driver support and it's easy to get warranty service ( I hear!). Bottom line is that I've been waiting for a DD from them. I realize that others may have had different experiences, but when you've owned 3 different wheel bases and not one of them ever had an issue over a 9 year period - that's a brand you stay with.
Click to expand...
I had THREE TS-PC wheel bases fail. Two due to power-brick failure & one died after a smokey fire in our apartment. (the PC survived, the wheel never came back to life). So there is always a 'your mileage may vary' caveat. The timing of the fire was also critical, it happened just as the Covid lockdown began and prices skyrocketed. I could not find a replacement TM wheel at anywhere near the prices the insurance company re-imbursed us, I actually got Fanatec equipment at roughly the same price.
 
T
Metla said:
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.
Click to expand...
I believe exactly the same, it fit's them perfectly. If that quick release is made of plastic (and it seems like it), then you can be sure of nailing their intentions.
 

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