Three weeks ago, first info on Thrusmaster’s upcoming high-end T500RS steering wheel surfaced. Now, new photos and some new info are available.
The wheel comes with plenty of impressive features such as 1080 degree-steering with a rigid motorized stopper for any steering angle setting, dual belt-driven Force Feedback and high-quality materials such as brushed metal. The wheel uses Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T HallEffect AccuRate Technology that offers 65536 values on the steering axis using a contactless magnet sensor.
The big 17 centimeter shifting levers made of brushed metal don’t turn with the wheel, an optional h-shifter box is sold separately. The complete wheel is detachable for future updates, a novelty for mass market steering wheels.
The wheel’s pedal unit is no less innovative, weighing over 7 kilograms and allowing to be used either standing or inverted for hanging pedals. The pedals are fully adjustable not just in height and spacing but in terms of brake resistance including a removable “Realistic Brake” mod.
With most of the features revealed, the last big question regards the retail price as the wheel is not yet listed at major retailers. Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi revealed that the wheel will sell for around $500 in Japan, Logitech’s G27 sells for $450 there so Thrustmaster’s innovation-rich product doesn’t seem to be much more expensive than the popular G27.
Update:
According to several sources, the wheel will be available starting late December/January, selling for a suggested retail price of 499???.
Three new high-resolution shows of the wheel and the pedal unit have been added!
