Thrustmaster has confirmed two new sim racing steering wheels are coming before the end of 2025, and the timing couldn’t be more critical for the French manufacturer facing intensified competition in a rapidly evolving market.
Current Thrustmaster Lineup Needs Refreshing
Thrustmaster’s current racing wheel portfolio shows its age when compared to 2025’s competitive landscape. At the entry level, the T128 and T248 wheels face stiff competition from newcomers like Moza’s R3 bundle, which offers similar force feedback performance at competitive pricing.
The T248, launched in 2021, delivers 3.5Nm of belt-driven force feedback and remains Thrustmaster’s most popular mid-range option. However, it’s now competing against Moza’s R5/R9 and Fanatec’s CSL DD, both of which are full blown direct drive wheels.
Direct Drive Competition Intensifies
Thrustmaster’s direct drive offerings tell a more complex story. The T818, launched in 2022 as a PC-only solution, was their first entry into direct drive territory. While solid, it arrived late to a market already dominated by Fanatec’s DD1/DD2 series and emerging competitors like Moza’s R9 and R12 bases.
The newer T598, featuring axial drive technology for PlayStation and PC, represents a more accessible direct drive option. However, it faces fierce competition from Moza’s R5 bundle and Fanatec’s Gran Turismo DD Pro, both offering compelling value propositions with broader ecosystem support.
Where Competitors Excel
The challenge for Thrustmaster isn’t just technical specs – it’s ecosystem completeness. Fanatec’s comprehensive product range allows users to build complete setups from a single manufacturer, while Moza has rapidly expanded their lineup with competitive pricing across all categories. Although Thrustmaster’s ecosystem is expansive, they’re lakcing in anything that could be considered modern or mid to high end.
Production Timeline and Business Strategy
According to Guillemot Corporation’s financial report, production of both models began in June and they will be “on the market before the end of the year.” The company is “accelerating the transition of its range of racing wheels” while expanding availability through major U.S. retailers.
The timing addresses real business challenges. Thrustmaster’s recent financial reports show a 7% revenue decline, partly attributed to import tariffs affecting U.S. sales and supply chain disruptions. By targeting major U.S. retailers, Thrustmaster aims to improve accessibility – a key advantage given that many competitors rely heavily on direct sales or specialty retailers.
What to Expect
While specific details remain undisclosed, the mention of “entry-level racing wheels” in their transition strategy suggests at least one wheel will target the budget segment, with the new budget wheel potentially being a direct drive. This move could make sense given the T248’s success and the need to counter aggressive pricing from Moza and others.
The second wheel could address their mid range to high end direct drive positioning, potentially offering better value or features to compete with the rapidly expanding mid-range direct drive market.
Market Reality Check
Thrustmaster faces a challenging environment in 2025. The company that once dominated entry and mid-range sim racing now struggles to compete against manufacturers offering direct drive technology at prices Thrustmaster reserves for belt-driven solutions.
Success for these new wheels will depend on aggressive pricing, compelling features, or leveraging their Ferrari partnership in new ways. With the SimRacing Expo in October providing a likely reveal platform, Thrustmaster has limited time to make their case.
The Bottom Line
Two new wheels before year-end represents Thrustmaster’s attempt to regain competitive momentum in a market that has evolved rapidly around them. Whether these releases can address pricing pressures while delivering the innovation needed to compete with Moza, Fanatec, and emerging brands will determine Thrustmaster’s position heading into 2026.
For consumers, this likely means better value and updated features as Thrustmaster works to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive sim racing landscape. If you would like to check out Thrustmaster’s currently line up you can check their official website out here.