First-ever Direct Drive Wheel Base for Thrustmaster
It was time for Thrustmaster to release a Direct Drive wheelbase, and that time has come.
The Thrustmaster T818 Direct Drive wheelbase is a product that lets you feel the sensations of real-world racing. The custom-designed motor is capable of producing up to 10 Nm of torque, delivering smooth and powerful Force Feedback.
The T818 takes into consideration the weight of Thrustmaster’s wheel rims, so you don’t have to worry about receiving less power because of the wheel’s mass.
In addition, Thrustmaster built the T818 with the new ‘Fast Release’ wheel attachment system, that allows you to swap the wheel in just 5 seconds. This system is compatible with all the next-gen Thrustmaster wheel rims or rims equipped with the Quick Release Adapter.
Best Price on Thrustmaster T818
The Buyer’s Guide and Product Review
Last Modified: February 05, 2023.
| Brand | Thrustmaster |
|---|---|
| Product Type: | Wheel Base |
| Model: | T818 |
| Technology (Drive Form): | Direct Drive |
| Peak Torque: | 10 N·m |
| Ready for: | PC |
| Product Official Page: | Thrustmaster T818 |
T818 Videos
Brief Design Overview
Direct Drive Systems
To better understand the importance of this new release, we need to explain what is Direct Drive in the first place, ( DD ) is the way motors communicate information straight through the steering shaft, Direct Drive system doesn’t use gears or belts to pass data, All is made direct to your hands, and Thrustmaster T818 is the first time wheelbase capable of doing so.
Design
You can also change the look of the base, not only on the RGB LEDs. This Thrustmaster T818 features an interchangeable plate on the side, there are 5 colors available at launch (sold separately), so you can easily switch things up!
Compatibility
At the moment, the Thrustmaster T818 is only compatible with PC systems, but we have to wait for future updates to know if the base will be compatible with consoles too! (we are talking about Thrustmaster, one of the brands that pay more attention to consoles).
Features
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct Drive Technology | Only compatible with PC |
| Robust Design with buttons and ports | A bit expensive |
| Solid Construction | Doesn’t come bundled |
| Fast Release system ( Included ) |
What is included
- 1x T818
- 1x Quick Release Adapter kit (Adapter, nut, screw)
- 1x card member
- 1x Member Leaflet
- 1x warranty sheet
- 1x USB cable
- 1x 168W power supply
- 1x Regionalized AC Cable
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the T818 as good as Fanatec Direct Drive?
Fanatec has more Direct Drive wheelbases and experiences with DD Products. but Thrustmaster is a well-known brand out there, they both kill it at the track.
Our Thoughts
Good wheelbase but at the time is only available in Europe. Great news for our US readers: it will be soon available in the United States as well, from March 22th 2023.
We think that Thrustmaster not only wants to be at the same level as more experienced companies in the Direct Drive World, but they also want to prove that they are more alive than ever before. This is a huge step for the brand,
Let’s see if this is the beginning of a new era for Thrustmaster, and they make it to be a referent when people talk about Direct Drive systems.
We think that is a fantastic product and brings the essence of what Thrustmaster is, robust and well-made products with special attention to details at an affordable price.
Where to buy the Thrustmaster T818
