After launching its new T598 wheel base, Thrustmaster also have something else up their sleeves - the Thrustmaster Hypercar Wheel Add-On is set to be released in November. Here's our review!
They still exist - new steering wheels for less than €1000 and even less than €500! Thrustmaster is launching its new Hypercar Wheel Add-On on November 14, and not only is it almost shaped like the Daytona International Speedway, it also surprises with other clever details that we have not seen before.
The wheel features a high-quality, automotive-grade material mix and a noble design. In terms of the overall theme, this really is an attempt to bring something new to the table - will it work, and will it live up to the Hypercar claim? Let's find out!
Material & Build Quality
From the moment I unboxed the Thrustmaster Hypercar Wheel Add-On, I was surprised by the high-quality feel it has. Of course, €/$399 is no bargain, but the 12.6 inch or 320 mm wide wheel not only features the finest Alcantara, the real one with the '®', but also perforated leather handles and a forged carbon piece.It is compatible with Thrustmaster's newer wheel generations, so in other words the, T818 and the recently-introduced T598, plus future products. Depending on the wheel base, it is compatible with PC, Xbox and PS4 / PS5. The wheel looks very unusual at first glance - I have never seen such a consequent oval shape before. The thickness of the grips is very comfortable, it sits well in the hand, is rather light at 1433 grams, but still very solid. Even with a lot of force, nothing bends at all.
Buttons & Switches
The button layout is where the first surprises are to be found - four rotary encoders, two very subtle buttons at the top, four buttons on the right that perform the corresponding functions of X, Triangle, Circle and Square on the PlayStation. It is just a shame that the included sticker set does not include any useful decals, which is the first small, missed opportunity.On the left is a simple D-pad, so no 7-way switch to turn or press, just directions. Three silver switches at the bottom give us more options for mapping, and two toggle switches on the aluminum faceplate, but although they have 2 directions, you can only use one to map functions, pressing them down is reserved for some wheel functions that I will explain shortly. Both the rotaries and the buttons have very good pressure points and are crisp, no complaints here!
Where is the surprise though, you may ask? I find the two front analogue triggers interesting, as they make up for the lack of dual clutch pedals on the back and can take on several functions at once - more on that in a moment. A real highlight are the magnetic paddle shifters, which are incredibly satisfying and quick to operate thanks to really beefy rectangular magnets - I have only ever seen round ones on other wheels thus far.
LEDs
Meanwhile, illumination is only available in the form of two small LEDs, which either show a simple form of RPM display, blue & yellow flags or active pit limiter, provided the telemetry supports it. Otherwise, they also indicate function selections of the two analogue triggers.If you want to find out which games support which LED features and what you need to set up for Le Mans Ultimate, for example, we recommend you take a look at the Thrustmaster support page, where you can also find recommendations for FFB settings and much more. There are no shift lights, but Thrustmaster designed the wheel primarily as an add-on for the T818, and since the T818 itself has LED functions, this makes perfect sense. It certainly looks cool when the two small LEDs work in harmony with the wheelbase. And the shape of the wheel is absolutely perfect to see the wheelbase LEDs clearly.
Software
On to the features and software. Unfortunately, there is still no real software from Thrustmaster, just a few options in the Windows Devices area. This is not acceptable in 2024. The big problem is that Thrustmaster has to solve everything with cheat-code style key combinations, which become more and more confusing the more stuff they add. While controlling the LEDs on the T818 with these side buttons was ok, the LED and analogue trigger settings now culminate in a terrible user experience.On the flip side, I think it is really commendable that we are given the opportunity to use the analogue triggers in a variety of ways. As independent axis, as throttle and brake - interesting for disabled people or people without pedals - or even as clutch triggers.
This is where the two silver toggle switches on the faceplate come in. Pressing them down allows you to adjust the brightness and function of the LEDs, as well as a clutch bite point - very useful for sim racers doing standing starts in Formula or Porsche Cup in iRacing, for example.
But the way this is set up will inevitably mean that casual users, perhaps driving with their setup every one or two weeks, will have to look at the manual again and again. The procedure is explained under 'Clutch Assist Function', where you have to painstakingly set this bite point by feel.
Image: Thrustmaster
It is not possible to set a value such as 40%, you literally have to feel your way around. If you hold down both analogue triggers and then release the first one, the bite point works quite well, but it could be much better. And who can remember all the colors of the functions? I was a bit shocked and hope this is just a temporary solution until Thrustmaster has some sort of tool suite or app.
Otherwise, the two analogue triggers are a great idea. I have also tried WRC with the Hypercar Wheel Add-On, where you can map them as handbrake or clutch for the clutch kick, even if you have to stretch a bit in the corners.
Racing With The Hypercar Wheel Add-On
Where the Hypercar Add-On really shines is in cars and motorsport where the steering angle is between 360 and 540 degrees. It feels really good and the absolute highlight, as already mentioned, are the shift paddles, which can be easily adjusted with screws if necessary. The oval shape also gives a good view of the lower part of the screen.The steering wheel feels suitable for pretty much all the disciplines I currently enjoy driving, be it GT3s, Cup Cars or Prototypes. Of course, it is best suited to sports cars, super cars or Hypercars (the road-going ones), as in Assetto Corsa.
Verdict
Overall, the whole layout is a compromise, of course, but it covers a lot of driving styles and is therefore a good all-rounder. If I were to buy a single wheel for my Thrustmaster T818 base, it would probably be this one - for the paddles and the look and feel.Rally drivers and drifters will be more at home with the EVO Racing 32R Leather, which we also reviewed in April. Pure motorsport sim racing wheels like the SF1000 or wheels from other manufacturers like a Simagic GT Neo or MOZA KS obviously offer a slightly more ergonomic, more focused button layout. But with Thrustmaster you are buying into a single ecosystem anyway - unfortunately, there are no official standalone or adapter solutions for using the wheel on other bases.
So the Hypercar Wheel Add-On has its ups and downs. Still, it gets a solid 4 out of 5 from me. I really like the wheel itself, it is fun and has better shifters as well as better materials and workmanship than steering wheels that sometimes cost twice or three times as much. It is just high quality, and Thrustmaster are taking another step towards more mature products, away from the toy appeal. If they make the wheel's functions accessible through good software, my rating would go up to a 9 out of 10.
Rating: 4 / 5
Be sure to leave your own ratings and reviews for the Hypercar Wheel Add-On here once you had a chance to try the wheel!
What are your thoughts on the Thrustmaster Hypercar Wheel Add-On? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our hardware forum!
