Black Angel Team - Notizie

Thrustmaster Accelerates Innovation: Two New Sim Racing Wheels Coming in 2025

The renowned gaming peripherals company Thrustmaster is preparing to revolutionize the sim racing market once again with the launch of two new steering wheels scheduled for release by the end of 2025. The announcement comes directly from Guillemot Corporation, Thrustmaster's parent company, which has officially confirmed the existence of these innovative devices.

Production Already Underway

Production of the two new models began last June, demonstrating the company's concrete commitment to this ambitious project. According to official statements, both devices will be "on the market before the end of the year," promising to accelerate the transition of the company's racing wheel range toward even higher quality standards.

Expansion Strategy in the American Market

One of the primary motivations behind this launch is the goal of making Thrustmaster sim racing wheels more widely available from "major U.S. retailers." This strategic move responds to challenges faced by the company in the North American market, where sales "fell sharply" between April and June due to supply issues and high import tariffs imposed.

Current Thrustmaster Range

To understand the importance of these new launches, it's essential to analyze the company's current portfolio:

Entry-Level Models:

• T128 (launched in 2022)
• T248 (launched in 2021)

Direct Drive Solutions:

• T598 for PlayStation and PC (launched in 2024, starting around £450)
• T818 PC-only (launched in 2022, around £1000)

Traditional Belt-Driven Models:

• T300RS GT Edition (11 years on the market, still available)
• TGT-II (launched four years ago, available for around £700)

Market Opportunities

Analysis of the current range reveals some strategic gaps that the new products could fill:

1. Direct Drive Gap: There's a void in the direct drive market between the T598 (£450) and T818 (£1000)
2. Xbox Compatibility: Lack of a recent device compatible with Xbox consoles
3. Geographic Diversification: Need to strengthen presence in the North American market

Financial Performance and Challenges

Guillemot's second quarter highlighted some challenges for Thrustmaster, with turnover down 7% year-on-year. This decline is primarily attributed to "the transition of the brand's entry-level racing wheels and supply disruption in the U.S. market following the imposition of high import tariffs."

However, not everything is negative: while sales declined in North America, Europe showed positive growth, demonstrating the brand's strength in established markets.

Future Prospects

The company has already confirmed its participation in the SimRacing Expo in Dortmund, scheduled for October 17-18, 2025, where more details about the new products will likely be revealed.

Supply issues with the T598, which had limited sales, have been "now resolved," suggesting greater production stability for future launches.

Conclusions

With two new wheels coming, Thrustmaster seems determined to consolidate its position as a leader in the sim racing market. The combination of technological innovation, geographic expansion strategy, and correction of gaps in the current product range could represent a significant turning point for the company.

Specific details about the new devices remain confidential, but anticipation in the sim racing community is already palpable. It remains to be seen whether these new launches will succeed in filling the identified gaps and reviving the company's performance in the most challenging markets.

https://shop.thrustmaster.com/it_it/