Thrustmaster T-GT III: The GT7 Steering Wheel Goes Direct Drive

Thrustmaster’s Gran Turismo steering wheel finally does away with the belt. As part of the GT7-licensed bundle, the Thrustmaster T-GT III combines a 5 Nm Direct Axial Drive base, a leather-wrapped GT steering wheel, and a load-cell brake pedal set, available for €699.99 starting December 3 on PS5 and PS4. The base and steering wheel are already familiar to Thrustmaster gamers, but the brake pedal included in the box sets it apart from Fanatec’s GT DD Pro.

The T-GT III, the first Direct Drive T-GT

The first two T-GT models transmitted power from the motor to the steering wheel shaft via a belt. The T-GT III switches to direct drive, featuring the axial-flow motor that Thrustmaster first introduced on the T598. In fact, the base unit shares the same design and display as the T598, and it delivers the same constant torque of 5 Nm. According to the manufacturer, a torque reserve that briefly spikes to 10 Nm prevents saturation during high-load operations.

The steering wheel features the GT Wheel Add-On, which Thrustmaster already sells separately for less than €250. Its 28-cm round rim is wrapped in leather. Its four metal encoders directly control traction control, brake balance, fuel mapping, and torque distribution in GT7. The announcement is aimed at the PS5 and PS4 and does not mention the PC, even though both the T598 and this steering wheel work on PC.

The Thrustmaster T-GT III at the Best Price

Gear Jolt and Engine Roar: From the T598 to Gran Turismo 7

Thrustmaster highlights two features of its Harmony technology, which adds rapid vibrations to the force feedback. Gear Jolt marks each gear shift with a brief jolt in the steering wheel, and Engine Roar adds vibrations in the base that follow the engine’s RPM. T598 owners are already familiar with both: the first can be adjusted from the base’s display, and the second was introduced via a firmware update in April 2026. With the T-GT III, the brand presents them as designed specifically for Gran Turismo 7.

The bundle is designed to keep up with the game over time: with each Spec version of GT7, Thrustmaster plans to update the steering wheel’s firmware and software. The second half of Spec IV, the game’s next free update, is expected in December—the very same month the T-GT III hits stores.

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