Thrustmaster has revealed a new bundle that will be targeted mainly at console players. For €499, this package contains everything you'll need to start your races on PlayStation or PC. I finally got my hands on the new Thrustmaster T598, and in this article, we go through every detail about this product and what's so special about it. Thurstmaster promotes T598 as a leap ahead in the world of the latest Direct drive via his new "Direct Axial Drive", but has it really lived to those expectations?
Who Is This Wheel For?
T598 is clearly targeted at a specific audience: console players who want to graduate from entry-level racing setups without spending thousands. For that reason Pc testing will not be included in the test, it just doesn’t make sense to buy this product only for PC.
It’s priced to compete with mid-range options like the Logitech G923 and Thrustmaster T248, both of which are less expensive but lack the direct drive technology that the T598 introduces. This wheel isn’t aimed at professional sim racers who already own high-end rigs. Instead, it’s for those looking to experience the precision and realism of direct drive technology without spending a few thousands on a new setup.
Direct Axial Drive - Innovation or Marketing Hype?
Thrustmaster is introducing something new with the T598: Direct Axial Drive. Unlike traditional direct drive wheels,, the T598 employs an axial flux motor. So, what does that mean? The motor is designed to be more efficient, requiring less copper and cooling while delivering 5 Newton meters of consistent torque.
A lot of brands promote their bases with 5, 8 or more Nm, but rarely they specify what does it exactly mean, is it peak torque or constant torque, and that is usually why some wheel bases from different manufacturers feel different, even though they should have the same performance. But back to Direct Axial drive, It’s also meant to eliminate the cogging often felt when turning a traditional direct drive wheel when it’s powered off.
While the technology sounds impressive, in practice, it’s not without its downsides. During testing, some of the theoretical benefits didn’t translate fully into gameplay, especially when compared to higher-end wheels. But we’ll go into that a little later.
Market Overview - How Does It Compare?
At €499, the T598 finds itself in a crowded mid-range market. If you’re on PlayStation, the alternatives are mostly belt-driven wheels like the Logitech G923 and the Thrustmaster T248, both priced lower. For direct drive options, the Fanatec DD Pro stands out at 699. It offers more torque—up to 8 Nm with a Boost Kit, but costs significantly more at 799, once you add the boost kit. I don’t want to discuss a better set of pedals because that would go into a completely different territory.
PC users have even more options, including the Moza R5 or other brands in the similar price range, but they don’t support playstation. If you’re on PlayStation, this is one of the very few direct drive options available at this price point, maybe the only one in the category under 500 euros.
Unboxing - What’s in the Box?
- The T598 wheelbase.
- A sports car-style wheel rim with a perforated rubber grip.
- Raceline LTE pedals
- A table clamp for desk mounting.
The wheelbase’s design is tall, very tall, with a futuristic aesthetic look. There’s also a small screen on the base for telemetry and calibration, which is a unique feature in this price range, and looks and performs really well.
Design and Build Quality
The T598’s build quality is impressive for the price. The wheel rim features a textured rubber grip and a laminated carbon structure, while the magnetic paddle shifters feel tactile and satisfying. I was really surprised with the shifters and their feel, something that I didn't expect at this price range.
The base is compatible with Thrustmaster’s ecosystem, so you can swap out the rim for other wheels. The wheelbase is significantly bigger and taller than most other bases in the market, making it quite tough to have a clear vision of the screen without additional modifications.
There is also a QR system that allows easier change of the wheel, but with its design it’s hard to say that it can compete with other QR systems out there. It’s plastic, but it is functional and only takes a fraction longer to change the wheel compared to other manufacturers.
The included Raceline LTE pedals are functional but limited. While they’re an upgrade from basic plastic pedal sets, they lack the precision of load-cell alternatives.
Having a closer look at these pedals reveals that they offer a lot more than you’d expect. Few springs so you can pick the stiffness of the brake and accelerator paddle. With that, there are three levels that can be picked, which regulates the travel and stiffness of the pedals.
The box also includes some accessories that stop the movement of the pedals on the carpet, even though I would recommend using them on the rig. In my opinion, construction is solid and there isn’t much more that can be expected at this price range.
Setting Up the T598
Setting up the T598 is mostly straightforward, but there are a few points where I struggled. On PlayStation, the wheel works out of the box with Gran Turismo 7 and other major titles. However, the base still shows up as the older TGT model in GT7, limiting its performance.
On PC, you’ll need to download Thrustmaster’s firmware update tool. The process isn’t as streamlined as it could be, requiring a reboot and some manual adjustments. It would be nice if the process was easier and included only one program which is common with other manufacturers.
Cabling is another point that I would like to make. Setting the pedals requires two connectors going into the pedals instead of just one, which is the case with most manufacturers. I can’t take this as a downside as every manufacturer has their own way of managing cables, but it’s usually more convenient to have only one cable coming out of the pedals.
Another struggle for me was mounting the pedals on the pedal tray, which took me longer than usual to mount, and I only used 2 out of 4 recommended mounting holes. There are drilling templates available on their website, but it would be easier if they provided a list of compatible cockpits. Which leads us to the next issue.
And that is the mounting of the wheelbase. I don’t think I ever spend so much time adjusting the base on my rig. The holes on the bottom of the rig didn’t fit my GT Omega Prime rig, which usually supports most major manufacturers and never had any issues with mounting other bases in the past.
But okay, the base also includes an additional tray on which mounting clamps can be installed.
But the problem is, that the wheelbase is pretty big and installing the clamps doesn’t leave much room for the legs beneath the base. In this case, you can see that there is no way to mount the base, having enough room for the base and having full vision of the screen.
So in the end, I got back to using only two bolts and tightening them to the rig, using the table clamp accessory. But I had to remove the rubber stripes on the bottom to prevent my base from moving around. And yes, I did try to fit them the best I could.
On the table however, it fits perfectly and I haven’t had any issues with setting it up.
First Drive - How Does It Perform?
On the track, the T598 delivers a decent driving experience. The 5 Nm of torque is strong enough for most casual racers, and the axial motor provides smooth and consistent force feedback.
However, there are noticeable gaps in the feedback. Some curbs provide no sensation, and oversteer corrections feel a little muted. Compared to other Direct Drive Wheelbases it lacks detailing and overall precision. But I have to mention that this is directly comparing it to more expensive sim hardware.
Pedals are functional but hindered by their lack of calibration options. The brake and acceleration pedal has a noticeable dead zone, making precision braking and acceleration a challenge.
This part was probably the biggest challenge for me, since I just couldn’t modulate the brakes in the way I would like it, and I also had a feeling like I was driving based on my previous experience rather than adjusting to the feedback of the base. There is almost no way to know when the car understeers or oversteers until it’s too late. I have to mention that I was still able to win a few races while testing the bundle. But as said before, I think most of it was my previous knowledge of the combo and not the feedback I was receiving from the base.
Issues and Quirks
The T598 isn’t without its flaws:
Heat: The base runs hot during extended sessions, and Thrustmaster recommends lowering the force feedback to compensate for the loss of FFB over time. The base got up to 45 degrees celsius, while my ambient temp was 20 degrees, and there was noticeable drop in force feedback in the longer session. I would say that it’s ideal to run the base at around 50% to get consistent force feedback in the longer session.
Noise: The motor produces a low-frequency hum that can be distracting, especially if you’re not using headphones, not to mention that almost every rotation of the wheel is felt through the shaft, just subtle hums but it can be distracting over time.
Oscillations: In certain scenarios, the wheel wobbles uncontrollably and Thrustmaster has even updated the base with the latest firmware but I don’t think that solved anything. The base oscillates a lot when the player isn’t holding the wheel and no matter the setting I tried it was always the same. So, keep you hands on the wheel and don’t let go.
Calibration: The lack of pedal calibration options is a big downside, because the pedals have a lot of potential, but with the deadzone like that, it’s really hard to extract the maximum out of them.
10 Laps Challenge - Testing the T598
To put the T598 to the test, I completed 10 laps on Kyoto - Yamagiwa Circuit in Gran Turismo 7. While the lap times were competitive, the consistency wasn’t. The pedal dead zone and force feedback inconsistencies made it challenging to maintain a steady rhythm.
In contrast, a higher-end setup like the Fanatec DD Pro delivered smoother inputs and tighter lap time spreads.
But I actually achieved a better lap with T598, but the consistency wasn’t there, so I tried to be as consistent as possible.
Is It Worth It?
So, should the Thrustmaster T598?
For €499, it’s a solid entry point into the world of direct drive racing. It’s well-built, compatible with Thrustmaster’s ecosystem, and provides a solid experience for PlayStation users.
However, it’s not without its shortcomings. The lack of pedal calibration, occasional feedback gaps, huge base, and software quirks might frustrate experienced racers. But I asked myself, what else is there at this price point, and the answer is nothing. This is the only Direct Drive priced at 500 euros, which is compatible with Playstation.
If you’re new to sim racing or upgrading from an entry-level wheel, the T598 is a strong contender. But if you’re looking for flawless performance, you might want to wait for future firmware updates or consider spending more on a higher-end option.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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