Thrustmaster announced the Thrustmaster T-GT III racing wheel bundle on October 3 during the Gran Turismo World Series event in Singapore. The new package succeeds the older T-GT II hardware and brings Direct Drive Force Feedback to the officially licensed Gran Turismo ecosystem for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 [1]. While older peripherals in the series used belt-driven motors, this new unit pairs an axial-flux motor with bundled Raceline Load Cell pedals for $749.99 ahead of the Christmas shopping window [2].
Thrustmaster T-GT III Shifts to Direct Drive
The shift to Direct Axial Drive is the main engineering change between generations of the flagship racing line [1]. In previous hardware, the T-GT II relied on a 40-watt brushless motor known as the “T-40VE”, paired with an external toroidal power supply that delivered up to 400 watts during peak moments [4]. That older belt-driven design aimed to reduce dead zones through built-in calculation processors, but modern sim racing has steadily moved to motor shafts connected straight to the steering column [5]. The Thrustmaster T-GT III removes drive belts completely by using an axial-flux motor designed to eliminate motor cogging while keeping latency low during wheel-to-wheel races [1].
Under regular driving conditions on PlayStation 5, the new motor architecture delivers 5 Nm of constant torque. When sharp track impacts demand extra energy, the built-in power circuits support a boost feature known as “+100% overshoot”. Peak torque briefly reaches 10 Nm [1].
Drivers who used earlier Thrustmaster hardware often had to balance steering resistance against drag from rubber belts [5]. The new axial motor provides linear Force Feedback where steering resistance mirrors the physics of the game car [4]. Alberto C of BoxThisLap said this Direct Drive architecture allows quicker steering corrections while preserving subtle tire sensations [1]. Because serious sim racers need quick reactions when catching loose rear tires, moving the flagship setup to Direct Drive gives console drivers the response speeds they expect [2].
Haptic Rumble and Load Cell Braking
For the Thrustmaster T-GT III, torque delivery is only part of the simulation experience, as the package introduces high-frequency vibration effects through a system called HARMONY. The technology separates standard steering forces from chassis rumble by generating clear tactile cues straight into the wheel rim. Two main effects built into the hardware are GEAR JOLT and ENGINE ROAR. GEAR JOLT provides a tactile kick when shifting gears in high-power race cars, while ENGINE ROAR translates engine revolutions and curb rumble into high-frequency vibrations that let drivers sense engine speed through their fingertips [1].
Cockpit control returns through a leather-wrapped wheel developed with Polyphony Digital. The wheel diameter measures 28 cm. Four Rotary Encoders let players adjust traction control, brake balance, fuel maps, and torque split without opening pause menus during multiplayer races. It doesn’t force drivers to navigate away from the track to tweak key car settings [1].
Below the desk, the package includes a Raceline Load Cell pedal set as standard equipment [1]. Previous T-GT bundles came with potentiometer pedals, requiring drivers who wanted load cell performance to purchase add-ons separately [4]. A load cell sensor measures the actual pedal pressure applied by the driver’s foot rather than how far the pedal arm travels through its stroke. With support for up to 100 kg of pedal pressure and 24-bit measurement resolution, drivers can rely on muscle memory to hit consistent braking marks on every lap [1].
T-GT III Racing Wheel Upgrades Over the T598
The arrival of the Thrustmaster T-GT III reshapes the Direct Drive lineup on PlayStation consoles [1]. Earlier, the manufacturer introduced the entry-level T598 base, which also features a 5 Nm axial-flux motor and HARMONY haptics [5]. But the T598 launched as a budget package with a basic two-pedal set and a standard wheel rim, leaving enthusiasts to purchase upgrades separately. Buying the official GT Wheel Add-On on its own costs €249.99 in European markets, so bundling the rim and load cell pedals together turns the new package into a complete solution for Gran Turismo enthusiasts [1].
Competition among PlayStation racing peripherals has grown over the past two seasons [2]. Fanatec sells its Gran Turismo DD Pro base with 5 Nm of torque, which owners can lift to 8 Nm using a Boost Kit 180 power supply, while Logitech offers its 11 Nm PRO Racing Wheel and the RS50 Direct Drive base [5]. Thrustmaster aims to stand out by integrating tactile rumble effects with Gran Turismo software telemetry [1]. Players who recently saw Sony add F1 25 to the October free PlayStation games lineup have access to an expanding range of racing titles, and this hardware gives them an alternative to rival ecosystems [2].
Writers at Console Monster said this new hardware fills a clear gap for console racers who want plug-and-play convenience without configuring complex PC software profiles. It’s an arrangement that keeps setup simple for players who race exclusively on consoles [2]. The T-GT III racing wheel gives racers a hardware package built specifically for Polyphony Digital simulation physics [1].
Release Timing and Global Launch Prices
Thrustmaster scheduled the official launch of the Thrustmaster T-GT III for December 3, 2026, so the hardware reaches retail shelves ahead of the Christmas holiday period. Retail pricing in the United States sits at $749.99, while European customers will pay €699.99. In the United Kingdom, the package carries a £649.99 price tag, and Japanese retailers will offer the bundle for ¥119,000 [1]. Those price points place the setup in the premium tier of console peripherals, matching the cost of bundled Direct Drive motors and load cell pedals [2].
Holiday timing gives racing fans an opportunity to upgrade their cockpits before seasonal competitions begin in the new year. Push Square and Console Monster reporters said the Christmas launch targets sim enthusiasts looking for high-fidelity Force Feedback [2]. Buyers won’t need extra mounting hardware [1].
Hardware compatibility spans both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles, allowing racers who haven’t yet upgraded their console hardware to use the wheel right away [1]. A toggle switch on the motor housing lets users toggle between PlayStation modes and PC connections [4]. OFXGamers reported that racing communities on console platforms continue to grow as developers bring more realistic physics engines to modern systems [6]. Full backward compatibility protects buyers who still race on older consoles while planning a future hardware transition [1].
Gran Turismo 7 Expands with Spec IV Content
The release of new racing hardware arrives as Polyphony Digital prepares major content expansions for Gran Turismo 7. Developer Polyphony Digital confirmed that Update 1.72 goes live in mid-October at 11 PM PDT, serving as the first part of the Spec IV update. Ravi Sinha of GamingBolt said the download introduces six vehicles: the Honda Civic SI Group A Version 1987, Honda Step WGN Spada Premium Line 2023, Citroën 2CV 6 Charleston 1986, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta 1994, Mazda RX-Vision GT3 EVO 2026, and the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo. Polyphony Digital continues expanding its vehicle roster with historic and experimental machinery [3].
In addition to new cars, the October patch introduces Japan’s SUGO International Racing Course as a playable circuit. Players can also explore new interface features, including Car Concierge for “ordering Used and Legend cars”, brand-specific “Experience” challenges, and a Car Viewer mode that lets drivers inspect their garage collection in close detail. Polyphony Digital plans to follow this release with Spec IV Part 2 in December, which adds the Autumn Ring circuit, six more vehicles, Family Mode, Shuffle Race, and Online Drift Trial competitions [3].
These software additions give sim racers fresh tracks and vehicles to master using the new Direct Axial Drive wheel [1]. Long-term support from Polyphony Digital keeps online lobbies active within the Gran Turismo community [3]. With BeamNG.drive also arriving on PlayStation 5 on October 19, console racers can’t complain about a lack of driving content [6].
- ONLINE NEWS Alberto C. (2026, October 3). Thrustmaster T-GT III Revealed: Direct Drive Gran Turismo Wheel for PS5. BoxThisLap. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Console Monster. (2026, October 4). Thrustmaster Unveils $750 PS5 Racing Wheel for Gran Turismo 7 Launching This Christmas. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Sinha, R. (2026, October 4). Gran Turismo 7 Spec IV Part 1 Launches on October 14th, Adds 6 New Vehicles and SUGO Racing Course. GamingBolt. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Thrustmaster. (2024, October 30). T-GT II – Simracing. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE GTDB. (2015, January 1). Best PS5 Racing Wheels & Pedals for GT7 — Compared with Prices. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS OFXGamers. (2026, October 3). Thrustmaster Reveals New $750 PS5 Racing Wheel for Gran Turismo 7. [Article Link]
