Thrustmaster T598: direct drive arrives at the middle of the range

For years the choice in sim racing was simple and slightly unfair: belt-driven wheels you could afford, or direct-drive wheels you could not. The T598 sits deliberately in the gap. It is a complete, ready-to-race package — base, rim, pedals and clamping system — built around a motor type that until recently lived only at the top of the market.

Thrustmaster's own framing is "drive into the new era", and the headline claim is the motor: a Direct Axial Drive unit using axial flux topology. In plain terms the wheel attaches directly to the motor, so nothing mechanical sits between the simulation and your hands.

Three official figures matter here. 5 N·m of constant torque — constant being the important word, since it is sustained rather than a momentary peak. 98 W of constant power, which Thrustmaster states means no force-feedback drop-off during long stints. And 5 ms latency, measured by Thrustmaster in January 2024.

The practical consequence of removing belts and gears is the absence of cogging — that faint notchiness as a geared wheel rotates. Thrustmaster also claims high-frequency vibrations survive the trip to your hands, which is the detail belt systems tend to smooth away: kerb texture, tyre scrub, the moment a rear axle lets go.

Force feedback is adjustable on the fly, and the base carries a Race Dash Display — a small screen showing speed, RPM, session time and LED shift lights, doubling as the control centre for feedback settings without leaving the car.

Unusually for direct drive, this is not a base-only purchase. Thrustmaster's product sheet lists the T598 servo base, the Sportcar wheel add-on, the Raceline Pedals LTE set, two carpet grips, the clamping system, a 98 W power supply, cables and a Torx wrench for pedal adjustment.

The pedals use H.E.A.R.T. magnetic sensors rather than potentiometers — contactless, so they do not wear a groove over time. Thrustmaster describes the set as modular across five configurations, and upgradable with a third pedal (load cell or otherwise) sold separately.

The clamping system covers both desk and cockpit mounting at no extra cost, which is worth noting: a desk clamp is a common hidden expense elsewhere in the direct-drive category.

The T598 answers a specific question: what if I want direct drive but race on PlayStation? The T818, Thrustmaster's 10 N·m flagship, is PC-only. The T598 covers PS5, PS4 and PC, which makes it the first direct-drive route for a Gran Turismo or F1 player on console.

It also suits anyone mounting to a desk rather than a rig. At 6.4 kg and 300 mm deep, with the clamp included, it is a considerably easier install than a full-size servo base bolted to an aluminium frame.

Against the T818: half the torque, but the T598 works on PlayStation and costs meaningfully less. The T818 remains the choice for PC drivers chasing maximum detail and headroom.

Against the T300 RS GT: a different class of motor entirely. The T300 is belt-driven and remains an excellent wheel — our tested pick for most console racers — but the T598 is the step up in feedback fidelity rather than a lateral move.

We have not yet driven the T598 back-to-back against either, so we are not going to tell you how it feels. When we do, this page becomes a scored review.