Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition officially announced

[Ricky78]

Rennes, January 11, 2018 — Following the Ferrari 250 GTO Wheel Add-On and T80 Ferrari 488 GTB Edition, the third product unveiled by Thrustmaster to celebrate Ferrari’s 70th anniversary is the TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition racing wheel. It features high-performance technologies which seamlessly work hand-in-hand with the stunning 488 Challenge Edition wheel.

Tailor-made for competition

A truly exceptional product, the TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition has been designed with fans of the legendary Prancing Horse automaker in mind: PC gamers looking for performance, quality and realism. The racing wheel replicates that found in the 488 Challenge, the most powerful car in the Ferrari one-make series history thanks to its turbocharged engine. The end result is a 9:10 scale replica (12.6”/32 cm in diameter) of the real 488 Challenge wheel, with hand-stitched wrapping made from the same Alcantara® material used on genuine Ferrari wheels. As seen with Thrustmaster’s recent Ferrari 70th anniversary releases, the TS-PC RACER 488 Challenge Edition boasts advanced onboard pieces of equipment of impeccable quality: a faceplate crafted of black brushed anodized metal, two 5.5”/14 cm tall sequential metal paddle shifters, two D-pads with push function, two metal rotary switches with push function, and eight action buttons. That’s no less than 25 programmable functions in total!


To put an extra bit of shimmer on this crown jewel, Thrustmaster has incorporated 15 LEDs into the wheel – a first for the brand – to serve as a tachometer, giving their drivers yet another decisive advantage in competitions.


A motor base that combines power and nuanced performance

To maximize their racing performance using the TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition racing wheel, virtual racers can rely on the wheel’s numerous powerful features:
• Brushless 40-watt motor. The powerful motor generates precise effects and provides incredible velocity – from long stall curves (STALL mode) to super-responsive
zigzags (DYNAMIC mode).
• Motor Cooling Embedded system. Avoid overheating and optimize noiseless operation. (patent pending)
• Field Oriented Control (F.O.C.) algorithm. Ensure surgical precision without losing power, even with intense torque demands. The built-in algorithm dynamically optimizes
the onboard H.E.A.R.T (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) system and its 16-bit resolution (65,536 values).
• Turbo Power unit. This specially-designed external power supply, which features a toroidal-shaped body with a finless design, provides an impressive 86% efficiency
(with just 14% heat dissipation), along with a jaw-dropping 400 watts of peak power!
• Mixed belt-pulley and gears system. This system, along with an axle mounted on metal ball-bearings, allows for extremely smooth and silent operation.
• Sturdy attachment system. The wheel base is compatible with all mounting surfaces (desks, 'racing cockpits', etc.) for guaranteed stability when racing.

This wheel is fully compatible with Thrustmaster’s unique ecosystem of PC racing products* – for virtually limitless customization possibilities.

* Sold separately


The TS-PC RACER Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition racing wheel will be available at the beginning of February 2018, at a suggested retail price of £599.99/€649.99 (taxes included) or $699.99 (taxes excluded).

 

[MegamanAT]

TS PC-Racer + 599 Wheel is about the same but you will have 2 rims. In my opinion overpriced...

 

[Ricky78]

Basically it has the same functions of the F1 wheel (only 1 button less) plus the RPM indicator and that's a good thing, but for the price I would expect a 1:1 replica, like the Sparco wheels.

 

[PicoBp]

TM since confirmed on FB that the wheel won't be sold separately, and it won't be compatible with other bases...

 

[Ricky78]

I'm not surprised since I'm still waiting for a stand-alone version of the Sparco P310...
IMHO since the release of the original TS-PC Racer they are loosing a lot of potential sales with this approach of exclusive wheels bundled with different bases.

 

[natedogg1867]

TM's recent business model is outrageous and objectively awful.

Their trend to tie down new rims to an exclusive bundle is not going to go down very well in the long run. The rims they make are generally very nice, and people actually want them... so it makes zero sense why they are only available in a bundle with a base for a hefty price.

And to that point, this is now their 3rd release of the TS-PC. After the original, and the TS-XW which added XB1 compat and an exclusive Sparco rim, this new Ferrari edition is coming out. And at it's retail price of $700, that is $50 more than the TS-XW which even included a pedal set... and about $300 more than the normal selling price of the original TS-PC currently.

Not only is this an awful price, but TM also just came out with that Ferrari 250 GTO rim for $450 (lol).

TM seems to be pricing itself as a premium brand... without offering premium products. And those prices wont make any sense until TM fixes its horrendous QC issues.

Is this rim worth $300 more than the TS-PC? Well, it's a 599 rim with 2 different dials and a rev light. They are going in the right direction by finally adding a rev light, but not for this price.

 

[AJ McDaddy]

Don't understand why they're focussing on all of these new rims that you can't buy separately when what most people actually want is for them to release a load cell pedal set..... not sure who works in their customer research department, but they're well off imho.

 

[kolysion]

i have pre ordered it !
Who want my old ts pc racer (it's exactly the same base ) ?

i admit i just wanted the LEDs cause i will place my OMP WRC 350mm on this again

 

[Ricky78]

i admit i just wanted the LEDs cause i will place my OMP WRC 350mm on this again

Which adapter will you use?

 

[Jan Larsen]

This post may be unpopular with TM fanboys, but its objective and subjective cirtisism of the motorbase description which I find annoying:

• Brushless 40-watt motor. The powerful motor generates precise effects and provides incredible velocity – from long stall curves (STALL mode) to super-responsive
zigzags (DYNAMIC mode).
40 watts is not powerful. But 40w = cheap motor. RC motors, which is roughly equivalent in size, peak at around 20 times that for the higher spec models.
Had they instead written that they chose a 40w motor because it optimizes the FFB settings in various games, then I'd be impressed instead of sceptic.

• Motor Cooling Embedded system. Avoid overheating and optimize noiseless operation. (patent pending)
Why in the world would you need to patent pend anything that can be solved with a good quality fan? The problem that current fans in wheelbases have is that they're ****. Too small and rides on bushing in some cases. Upgrade and they'll last forever. If the motor still overheats with a fan, then the motor is garbage or unsuitable for the task. Again, ask the RC community, they know about this inside out.

• Field Oriented Control (F.O.C.) algorithm. Ensure surgical precision without losing power, even with intense torque demands. The built-in algorithm dynamically optimizes the onboard H.E.A.R.T (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) system and its 16-bit resolution (65,536 values).
What exactly does this algorithm actually optimize? A HallEffect sensor is pretty much what is it.

• Turbo Power unit. This specially-designed external power supply, which features a toroidal-shaped body with a finless design, provides an impressive 86% efficiency
(with just 14% heat dissipation), along with a jaw-dropping 400 watts of peak power!
Its a powersupply, not a world beater. I couldn't care less if its toroidal-shaped or a brick and that it peaks at 400w. Or 500w. Or 600w. It just needs to work.

• Mixed belt-pulley and gears system. This system, along with an axle mounted on metal ball-bearings, allows for extremely smooth and silent operation.
Gears and silence are two words that dont correlate. My G27 is a perfect example of this. Yes I know a G27 and this cant really be compared, but gears are noisy no matter what application they're used. Helical to a lesser extent.

• Sturdy attachment system. The wheel base is compatible with all mounting surfaces (desks, 'racing cockpits', etc.) for guaranteed stability when racing.
Good, but should be a foregone conclusion in this price bracket.

Now, look, I know this post seems negative, but before you shell out 700$ or 600 euros, ask yourself if there's better alternatives out there for that price. TM midrange wheels (T300 f.x.) are great wheels for the price, a price that just keeps on dropping.

 

[AJ McDaddy]

Now, look, I know this post seems negative, but before you shell out 700$ or 600 euros, ask yourself if there's better alternatives out there for that price. TM midrange wheels (T300 f.x.) are great wheels for the price, a price that just keeps on dropping.

But you can't get the shiny shiny novelty rev lights on a rim .

I never look at the rev lights on my Fanatec BMW GT2 rim. - too busy looking at the screen and listening to revs..

 

[Jan Larsen]

Exactly, you never look at them once racing, you listen to the revs, which makes them pointless . I tape mine over because they distract.

 

[Furnace Inferno]

Well for one the new bases don’t have major FFB fade once they heat up like the rest of the TM wheels. Yes the marketing is total nonsense but they are much better bases.

 

[M D Gourley]

Dang...just purchased the TS XW Racer...although I am more than happy with the Sparco P310 wheel, the Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition wheel does look good to me personally.
It does say on the Thrustmaster website that this is Compatible with the Thrustmaster racing ecosystem...

TH8A shifter*, T3PA-PRO* and T3PA* pedal sets, and add-on racing wheels* (Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On, Ferrari GTE Wheel Add-On, 599XX Evo 30 Wheel Add-On Alcantara® Edition, TM Leather 28 GT Wheel Add-On, TM Rally Wheel Add-On Sparco R383 Mod and TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod).
* Sold separately.
What is this I wonder...TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod

 

[AJ McDaddy]

Dang...just purchased the TS XW Racer...although I am more than happy with the Sparco P310 wheel, the Ferrari 488 Challenge Edition wheel does look good to me personally.
It does say on the Thrustmaster website that this is Compatible with the Thrustmaster racing ecosystem...

TH8A shifter*, T3PA-PRO* and T3PA* pedal sets, and add-on racing wheels* (Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On, Ferrari GTE Wheel Add-On, 599XX Evo 30 Wheel Add-On Alcantara® Edition, TM Leather 28 GT Wheel Add-On, TM Rally Wheel Add-On Sparco R383 Mod and TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod).
* Sold separately.
What is this I wonder...TSS Handbrake Sparco Mod

Compatible with the ecosystem but like the Sparco P310 wheel won't be sold separately.
Anyway, here's the TSS Handbrake / Sequential shifter:

 

[Terry Rock]

I bought the formula rims on Black Friday and on checking Amazon just a few minutes ago, it has almost tripled in price.
The TS-PC racer was $342 delivered on BF at B&H. I was tempted but decided to hang on to my T500RS with GTE rim.
Who the heck would pay $700+ for essentially a rev indicator and two rotary switches?
Other than rim covering material, that's about all I can see that's different.
It wouldn't do me any good anyway since I use a Rift and wouldn't be able to see it.

 

[kolysion]

Which adapter will you use?

this one :
http://simracinghardware.com/product/thrustmaster-gte-wheel-adapter/

i use it but plastic is a little cracked, TS PC is very strong, but it's fine.

i have this one too :
http://www.simfai-solutions.com/product-page/wheel-adapter-for-thrustmaster-t500-tx300-tx

Imported from Vietnam, very solid, metal.
I keep it for spare.

i use extended very large paddles : (i have little bit modified them )
http://simracinghardware.com/product/extended-gte-shifter-paddles/

i use this wheel OMP WRC 350mm :
https://www.gt2i.com/fr/volant-tulipe/39820-volant-omp-wrc-cuir-noir-temoin-rouge.html

and i will order this one:
https://www.gt2i.com/fr/volant-plat/517-volant-omp-velocita-cuir-noir.html

i prefer leather, it slides very wheel without gloves !

i'm very excited with LEDS , wheel i don't care, i use real OMP wheel 350mm (it's very big and comfortable)


my rig :

i planify to upgrade to fanatec V3 pedals (maybe inverted) cause t3pa are really "cheap".

And i had TX and T300RS, i will NEVER NEVER go back to these wheeld, they feel very "weak".
After 30 seconds with Dirt 4, T300rs and TX FFB decrease cause it's too hot, with TS PC RACER, NEVER NEVER NEVER it's hot and FFB is CONSTANT : the perfect feelings !
That's the most important reason i have bought TS PC RACER.
Even the T500 feel old, noisy, and weak.

if i haven't bought fanatec csw 2.5, it's only cause they always cry in games they have troubles.
With TS PC RACER, i have ZERO trouble, i 'm very happy .

i have Fanatec handbrake, and soon pedals and shifter, but i will keep thrustmaster for wheel

 

[kolysion]

Compatible with the ecosystem but like the Sparco P310 wheel won't be sold separately.
Anyway, here's the TSS Handbrake / Sequential shifter:

WAOUUUUUUUUU, i know i will order it

BUT where did you find it ?

 

[kolysion]

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...tooth-led-display-soon-to-be-released.364297/

maybe i will wait for LEds stand alone

 

[Ricky78]

WAOUUUUUUUUU, i know i will order it

BUT where did you find it ?

http://racingmaster.co.kr/product/detail.html?product_no=78&cate_no=26&display_group=1