The Simracing community was shaken by the announcement of the Fanatec CSL DD. On June 23, 2021, Thrustmaster announced the forthcoming release of the Thrustmaster T-GT 2, successor to the well-known T-GT. The Gran Turismo-licensed steering wheel will be PS4 and PS5 compatible. It’s the perfect opportunity to gently prepare your gear for the release of Gran Turismo 7!
So, has Thrustmaster responded to Fanatec’s call for an affordable Direct Drive?
What is the Thrustmaster T-GT 2?
Quite simply, it’s the evolution of the Thrustmaster T-GT, which was born of the collaboration between Thrustmaster and Gran Turismo. The result on the first version left me perplexed… Why buy an 800€ steering wheel when most of its innovative features can ONLY be used on Gran Turismo Sport?
To be honest, the latest announcements don’t reassure me.
A T-GT 2 with cutting-edge technology?
In its short video presentation, Thrustmaster tells us that it has spent 4 years developing this evolution, and 23,000 hours in Research and Development. The stated aim is to improve the linearity of Force feedback, its precision and the product’s durability.
The 3-pedal pedalset also features a new brake pedal spring for improved feel and durability. Everyone is free to interpret this as they wish. For me, it just means “Hey guys, we were too lazy to make Load Cell, so we’re giving you a custom spring.”
An update on on-board technologies
Some of the technologies displayed are indeed new, such as T-DCC (Drift Curve Calculation) and T-RTF (Real Time Force Feedback). These two abbreviations were teased by Thrustmaster on their Twitter account at the beginning of June.
But let’s see what else is in the base of the Thrustmaster T-GT 2
- T-40VE: Belt-driven brushless motor. So we’re below the feel of the CSL DD.
- LeatherT-GT wheel Leather steering wheel. Equipped with two joysticks, 25 buttons, 1 push-button and 4 rotary selectors adapted to Gran Turismo Sport. The question is: are we going to be fobbed off again with options that ONLY work on Gran Turismo?
- T-LIN: Transmits the force felt by the player as smoothly as possible in relation to that sent by the game.
- T-F.O.C : The engine reacts “dynamically” and quickly to torque increases, while reducing power losses.
- T-MCE: Engine cooling system that manages torque increases while reducing power losses.
- T-TURBO: New base power supply for 400-watt peak power.
This list makes me wonder. 23,000 hours in R&D, really? Because most of these technologies were already present on the T-GT. A belt-driven motor, no Load Cell for the brake pedal… Are the engineers tired?
The vexing question: the price
OK, so let’s not throw Granny into the paddock. After all, if the T-GT 2 is positioned at an affordable price, we can forgive its lack of evolution.
On the Amazon France page, we’ve already learned the price of the T-GT II, which will be offered at €749.99. This is the price for the base, wheel and 3-pedal pedalset. If you want to do without the pedalset and buy just the base and wheel, you’ll pay €649.99. And finally 449.99€ for the base alone.
Wait, wait… 450 bucks for a belt-driven base?! When Fanatec releases a Direct Drive base at 350€? I don’t know about you, but my heart’s already in the right place.
A mixed verdict so far
Anyway, at 749.99€… If Thrustmaster comes up with a simple evolution of the T-GT, it will show us once and for all that some brands should definitely start thinking in terms of Research and Development rather than Marketing..
Of course, I’ll edit this article as time goes by, so you’ll always be kept up to date with news about the T-GT 2!
In the meantime, let me know in the comments what you think of this announcement and what your expectations are of this new Thrustmaster product 🙂
