Thrustmaster announced the T-GT III on October 3, 2026, during the Gran Turismo World Series event in Singapore, where the brand also returned as an official hardware partner of the series. The T-GT III is an officially licensed Gran Turismo wheel for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, and it is the first Gran Turismo-branded wheel built on Thrustmaster's Direct Axial Drive motor architecture. Thrustmaster lists it at $749.99, with sales opening December 3, 2026 and worldwide availability expected before the holidays.
If you race Gran Turismo 7 on a PS5 and you have been waiting for a direct drive bundle made for the game, this is the one to plan your rig around. Here is what the T-GT III brings, what it changes on the driving side, and how to hard-mount it on an OPLITE GTR S8 Infinity Force so it delivers what it was designed for.
Thrustmaster T-GT III: what was announced
According to Thrustmaster's official product page and the launch coverage, the T-GT III is sold as a complete bundle:
- Direct Axial Drive wheelbase rated at 5 Nm of constant torque, with an overshoot capacity of up to 10 Nm (+100%) for short-duration effects.
- Leather-finish wheel rim with four rotary encoders for adjusting in-game settings on the fly.
- Load cell pedal set included in the box, so the brake responds to pressure rather than pedal travel.
- Haptic effects branded GEAR JOLT and ENGINE ROAR, which add gear-change and engine sensations to the force feedback.
- Platforms: PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
Launch coverage from GTPlanet reports that the bundle combines Thrustmaster's T598 servo base, a T-GT II-style rim with an upgraded quick release, and Raceline LTE pedals with the load cell brake. BoxThisLap reports a 100 kg (220 lb) brake force rating for the load cell. Thrustmaster has not published further details yet, so treat any spec not listed above as unconfirmed until the product ships.
What the T-GT III changes for a Gran Turismo 7 driver
For most PlayStation racers, the jump from a gear-driven or belt-driven wheel to direct drive is the moment where the car starts talking back. Small slip angles, curbs and weight transfer come through the rim instead of being filtered by a gearbox. The 10 Nm overshoot is aimed at those short, sharp events: a rear stepping out on corner exit, a hit on a sausage curb, a lockup under braking.
The load cell brake is the other half of the upgrade. Because it measures force, you build muscle memory around how hard you press, which is how a real brake works. In Gran Turismo 7 that translates into more repeatable trail braking and fewer flat spots in endurance races.
Both upgrades share one requirement: the hardware must not move. A direct drive base that flexes on its mount, or a load cell pedal set that slides forward under a hard stop, gives you vague feedback and inconsistent braking. That is where the cockpit comes in.
How to mount the T-GT III on the GTR S8 Infinity Force
The GTR S8 Infinity Force is built on a 1.9 in (48 mm) E355 steel tube chassis rated for direct drive wheelbases up to 25 Nm and pedal sets up to 440 lb (200 kg). The T-GT III sits well inside both limits, which leaves room for a future upgrade without touching the frame.
1. The wheelbase
Thrustmaster's T598 base, which the T-GT III bundle is reported to use, has four attachment points on its underside for cockpit mounting (a desk mounting kit is sold separately for table use). On the GTR S8, the wheelbase bolts to the single E355 steel wheel deck, which accepts Fanatec, MOZA, Thrustmaster, Logitech, Turtle Beach, Asetek and Nacon bases with side or bottom fixing. Bottom-mount the base, check that the quick release clears the dashboard area, then set the wheel deck height and angle so your wrists rest on top of the rim with a slight bend in the elbows.
2. The load cell pedals
Bolt the pedal set to the GTR S8 pedal plate rather than letting it rest on the floor. The pedal plate adjusts in depth by about 7.9 in (200 mm) and tilts from -9° to +30°. Start with a moderate angle, adjust the depth so your knee keeps a slight bend at full brake pressure, then calibrate the load cell in the game or in Thrustmaster's settings. A rigid plate means the force you apply goes into the sensor, not into flex.
3. Seating position
The RS2 FiberCore bucket seat slides by ±8.7 in (±220 mm) on rails and tilts from -24° to +24°. For GT-style cars in Gran Turismo 7, a slightly upright position with the steering axis pointing at your chest works well. Set the seat first, then fine-tune the pedals and wheel around it.
4. The screen
For a PS5 setup with a TV, the Monitor Stand GTR S3/S8 holds screens up to 50 in on the cockpit itself, so the TV stays aligned with your eyes when you adjust the seat. If the rig shares a living room, the GTR S8 castor wheels let you roll it aside after a session. Place the screen as close to the wheel as your setup allows: the closer it sits, the more natural your field of view feels in Gran Turismo 7.
Why the GTR S8 Infinity Force fits a T-GT III build
A real bucket seat, included. The Infinity Force ships with the RS2 FiberCore, a genuine bucket seat with a four-layer cross-woven fiberglass shell, 35 kg/m³ high-density foam, suede upholstery and five harness pass-throughs. It holds you in place under the lateral loads that a direct drive wheel transmits.
One universal wheel deck, whatever base comes next. The same E355 steel wheel deck takes the T-GT III today and a stronger base later, from any of the brands listed above. Upgrading your wheelbase does not mean buying a brand-specific bracket, an adapter or a new cockpit: no extra cost, nothing to replace.
A dedicated ecosystem that grows with you. The Full Force Kit is already in the box, and the GTR S8 accepts a range of accessories designed for this frame: monitor stands, a triple screen upgrade kit, a keyboard and mouse tray, a Stream Deck arm, shifter and handbrake holders and castor wheels. You can build in stages, and nothing you buy in month one becomes obsolete.
The GTR S8 Infinity Force is available in North America at $599, in black or white. For the full breakdown, read our GTR S8 buying guide.
FAQ
When can I buy the Thrustmaster T-GT III?
Thrustmaster states that the T-GT III will be available for purchase from December 3, 2026, at a recommended price of $749.99 in the US, with worldwide availability expected before the holidays.
Does the T-GT III work on PC?
Thrustmaster's announcement lists PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. PC support has not been detailed in the official material at the time of writing, so check Thrustmaster's product page before buying for PC.
Is 5 Nm enough to need a cockpit?
Yes. With a 10 Nm overshoot and a load cell brake, the T-GT III produces forces that a desk or a lightweight frame will absorb as flex. A rigid steel cockpit keeps the base and pedals still, so what you feel comes from the car, not from the mount.
Can I upgrade to a stronger base later on the GTR S8?
Yes. The GTR S8 Infinity Force is rated for direct drive bases up to 25 Nm and keeps the same wheel deck whatever brand you move to.
Find the right OPLITE cockpit for your setup
Planning a T-GT III build for December? Compare frames, adjustment ranges and accessories side by side with our cockpit comparison tool.
Sources: OPLITE product information (oplite-usa.com); Thrustmaster T-GT III official page; Thrustmaster T598 Servo Base page; GTPlanet, October 3, 2026; BoxThisLap, October 3, 2026. Thrustmaster, T-GT III, Gran Turismo, PlayStation and all other product names and brands mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners.