GT5′s New Thrustmaster T500 RS Wheel Goes Upmarket

Accessories December 2nd, 2010 by Jordan

Kazunori Yamauchi has continued to reveal interesting bits of information on Twitter about the new official Gran Turismo 5 steering wheel, the Thrustmaster T500 RS. Unlike the last “official” wheel, the Logitech Driving Force GT, it seems Polyphony Digital will now be endorsing a premium product which commands a considerably higher price tag. According to Yamauchi, the T500 RS will sell in the range $500 (keep reading…), with the separate gated shifter sold separately for a still undisclosed amount of money.

Before you grumble, keep in mind that it’s not clear if the $500 price actually refers to the US, EU, or Japanese regions. As noted by Shirakawa Akira in our forums, the Logitech G27 already sells for around $450 in Japan (it’s $299 in the US), so it may not actually be that much more expensive. Other “premium” wheels, such as the Fanatec Porsche 911 GT3 RS, sell for as much as $349.95, so there is clearly enough demand in the higher end of the market and it is very encouraging to see Polyphony Digital supporting enthusiast hardware with the T500.

Kazunori reinforced this notion with more tweets, stating that the “T500RS [...] is a high-quality, premium steering [wheel],” and “you can feel the delicate and rich feel of the steering.” It will feature three pedals, a “high-power motor, belt drive backlash-free, [and] high-speed processing at low latency.”

Want More?

You should follow GTPlanet on Facebook, and on Twitter @GTPlanetNews. You can also get GTPlanet's news by full-text RSS feed, or delivered via email, straight to your inbox every day.

Tagged

79 Comments

Newest comments are displayed first.

  1. December 3rd, 2010 at 6:47 am - #
    Sgtwhitten

    I think I’d rather go on holiday than buy that wheel, a holiday might be cheaper too. I’m happy with my G25 purchased for a reasonable £125

  2. December 3rd, 2010 at 6:45 am - #
    The-Only-Batman

    I find it funny reading the negative responses from people that haven’t even seen the product yet! Why not wait and then offer some constructive comments when you have had a chance to see it in action?

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 4:08 pm - #
      Lischynski

      I find it funny reading the positive responses from people that haven’t even seen the product yet! Why not wait and then offer some de-constructive comments when you have had a chance to see it in action?

    • December 4th, 2010 at 1:04 am - #
      The-Only-Batman

      Thanks.

  3. December 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 am - #
    riph

    better they use optical sensor for paddles.im sick with old tech,obsolete potentiometers.my G25 started to brake-sticking. :(
    R

  4. December 3rd, 2010 at 6:00 am - #
    SCUD77

    this wheel will be a huge fail. Why ? because the dfgt/g25/27 have gained the respect for being great performing well built wheels, what do thrustmaster have other than a pornstar-name ?

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 7:23 am - #
      speedthrill

      you’re right there my friend. All i know from thrustmaster is nerds trying to keep me away from it in high school. “Logitech Mate,the best joysticks, keyboards, mouses,…headsets,…”

      And now for me 6 years the best in wheels…
      And not only for gt5, but for Simbins games, i racing…
      God i’m glad i listened t the nerds back then…
      And yeah, name me one product thrustmaster made that went into history…

      Controllers (wich wheels fit into) are still the best in logitech hands and minds, whatever my dear god YK comes up with…

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 8:06 am - #
      occasionalracer

      I really like Logitech a lot, but it’s not impossible for Thrustmaster to do something good here, this thing is $500, so we better be getting a lot of product for that.

  5. December 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 am - #
    ///MPower_Freak

    is it better than the g25/g27?

  6. December 3rd, 2010 at 4:51 am - #
    Mr Latte

    Nice to read it will be a more “serious” product.

    Belt drive, contactless pedal sensors,mmmmmm
    I detect Thrustmaster have been following closely what Fanatec have done.

    G27 so missed the chance of a proper upgrade/improvement over the G25. It will be nice to see what Thrustmaster comes up with.

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 8:03 am - #
      occasionalracer

      You’re right it is a good thing that something new is hitting the market, and I’ve always wondered why there weren’t more wheel products out there. Logitech and Fanatec have enjoyed pretty exclusive market up until now, and this new wheel could breed better wheels in the future. Logitech screwed up big with their almost pointless G27 upgrade (no seq. on the shifter) and I think Fanatec could have done better marketing. For $500 with a GT brand, I’m sure this thing will be better than the G’s and 911′s, but it’s a bit of a fail they didn’t advertise this thing before the launch of GT5, cause I’m sure they’ve missed out on 1000′s of potential sales.

  7. December 3rd, 2010 at 4:47 am - #
    muggs

    it says backlash free but you need backlash especially for drifting.

  8. December 3rd, 2010 at 4:11 am - #
    Praggia

    I think Kaz should concentrate on sorting out GT5′s niggly issues…very irritating downright disappointing issues

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 4:35 am - #
      GT-Relentless

      I hate to say but I think GT5 is a bit of a mess!

  9. December 3rd, 2010 at 3:48 am - #
    AengerdX

    If this wheel is as good as i hope in quality, as their HOTAS stick was awsome, then i´m giving away my g25 to a friend. :)

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 7:43 am - #
      Benny44

      Hey Aengardx, do you want to add me to your friends list? ; )

  10. December 3rd, 2010 at 3:46 am - #
    Paul Mc

    Will be very interested in this wheel. My DFGT is doing a great job for a sub 100 euro wheel.

  11. December 3rd, 2010 at 3:44 am - #
    mike3648

    Meh…I’m not well off, so I will stick with my Force GT thanks very much. Price of wheels is getting ridiculous-you could almost buy another PS3 AND a Force GT for the price of this wheel.

  12. December 3rd, 2010 at 3:32 am - #
    Fryto

    Very happy with my €89 DFGT. No need for another wheel at the moment :)

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm - #
      Geo_212

      I agree. I just bought the G27 and I love it, end of story. I don’t need to re-spend $300.

  13. December 3rd, 2010 at 2:27 am - #
    The-Only-Batman

    I wonder if it will incorporate a stand?

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 7:49 am - #
      hgwt193

      should do for that price

  14. December 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 am - #
    Keyz13

    As long as the brake pedal is pressure sensitive, like the fanatec clubsport pedals, then this product will have a chance. Thrustmaster is an old, very reliable joystick company. Logitech made their way with “mice”and trackballs, so I don’t think it will be hard to dethrone their arrogant, non product supporting, reverse gear breaking asses.

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 3:20 am - #
      Jope

      Lolz @ “reverse gear breaking asses” :D

      Anywho, I’m in if this is true. There’s always room for yet another steering wheel in the market. Especially if it’s one sold in regular high street stores, and has proper customer support from the manufacturer.

  15. December 3rd, 2010 at 1:19 am - #
    L8 Apex

    I do hope the shifter will have a sequential mode as well, preferably back to upshift/forward to downshift.

  16. December 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 am - #
    brettjr25

    “Get your smokey on!”

  17. December 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 am - #
    revelation1115

    500 and no shifter included? Good thing I have a G27! 149.99 and has everything I need!

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 am - #
      m3ftw

      revelation1115 wer did u get a g27 for $150???? im looking for a g27 or a g25 for under $200

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 2:28 am - #
      Keyz13

      Very Irresponsible to say you G27 was 149.99. I mean, when you got it from that guy who stole it of a truck, did he really give you a penny back when you gave him $150?

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 7:40 am - #
      Benny44

      you just have to keep your eyes open and be patient. I even saw one on amazon for that price about a year ago. Unfortunately for me I couldn’t afford it and it almost immediately went up in price. I’ve found that in the last year, wheels have gone up in price. (probably because of GT5)

  18. December 3rd, 2010 at 12:38 am - #
    omDidit

    So, the term “500″ on T500 RS came from the price tag.

    Isn’t it ?

  19. December 3rd, 2010 at 12:26 am - #
    gtone339

    Not necessary for me but seems cool though.

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 5:41 pm - #
      FlareKR

      Same here, my DFGT has been made GT5P so much more enjoyable when I got it last year. And with GT5, and the makes the experience so much better. And for $150, it’s a damn good deal. That $500 thing better come with a Coca-Cola dispenser.

  20. December 3rd, 2010 at 12:24 am - #
    George Washington

    I want an official rumble and tilt racing seat. I’d pay $500 for THAT

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 12:36 am - #
      Circuit*star

      exactly my point. +1 and not even real cars Nardi, Momo, Personal, Omp etc racing steering wheel go for that much.

    • December 3rd, 2010 at 10:57 am - #
      Punknoodle

      yeah but a “real” steering wheel only has…the wheel. This has motors, electronics, mouldings, pedals etc. Can’t see how they are connected..?