- The low cost of the Thrustmaster T98 is designed with children and entry -level players, according to the director of product marketing Xavier Pieuchot
- Pieuchot says that the T98 is “everything you need to take your first step in a racing game”
- He also said that the low cost meant that Thrustmaster could not implement comments of force, but that it is more suitable for children
The new T98 of Thrustmaster, approved by Ferrari-Est a racing wheel with low cost designed for newcomers for children and wheels, but that meant that the manufacturer could not add a key characteristic.
Speaking in an interview with Techradar Gaming in Gamescom 2025, after the T98 announcement, the director of product marketing Thrustmaster, Xavier Pieuchot, explained that the price of $ 100 / £ 89.99 £ / € 100 € 100 allows wheel users for the first time to start at a lower cost, in particular children.
“It is not for SIM runners, it is aimed at children, for first chief wheels,” said Pieuchot, “but there is a big market here because all guys are now playing at Sim Racing [games] With Pro Stuff should start with something cheap at first, that’s why we launched this [the T98].
“Below 100 €, most of the time, you also get a very cheap design, a very cheap plastic. Here we bring [the] Ferrari license, so we cannot say that it is a replica because it is not a scale 1: 1. But it is very inspired by the GTB.
“Basically, you have a kind of replica and beautiful steering wheel and everything you need to take your first step in a racing game.”
However, due to the low cost of T98, this meant that the company could not afford to implement the feedback of the force, a common component found in many of the best running wheels which uses an electric motor to generate realistic resistance.
Pieuchot explained that as it is a product more favorable to a budget, it could not offer the same experience as a wheel with a feedback power, adding that it would be more suitable for small children anyway.
“You have a product that looks like a steering wheel, so you have a better immersion to drive a car, but we know that in the end, this is not the way you start and that you are serious with the SIM race, that’s why,” he said. “And, as I said, [the] The engine is the most expensive part of the steering wheel.
“So, if we want to reach the goal of € 100 below, we simply cannot afford the comments,” he said. “It is much easier and safer for a family to put a steering wheel like that in children’s hands.”
The Thrustmaster T98 is now available and is compatible with PC, PS4 and PS5.
