Thrustmaster took a genuinely different engineering path with the T598, building around an axial flux motor design called Direct Axial Drive rather than the more common radial motor layout most direct drive bases use. Reviewers are largely won over by what that unusual approach delivers.
Key Specs
- 5 Nm constant torque, with overshoot capability boosting to 10 Nm briefly
- Axial flux “Direct Axial Drive” motor design
- HARMONY haptic layer for engine revs, road texture, and rumble strips
- Bundled with the non-load-cell Raceline LTE pedal set
A Genuinely Different Motor Design
According to GTPlanet’s review asking whether this is the future of sim racing, the axial flux design aligns the motor’s magnets on the same axis as the wheel shaft itself, a fundamentally different approach from typical radial motors that changes the shape and performance characteristics of the base entirely.
Overshoot Power That Impresses, With a Caveat
The ability to briefly boost from 5 Nm to 10 Nm for moments like snap oversteer genuinely impresses reviewers, delivering noticeably stronger peaks than the base’s constant output alone would suggest. The honest caveat: this overshoot can feel a bit exaggerated depending on settings, occasionally more dramatic than realistic.
Worth Knowing: The bundled Raceline LTE pedals lack a load cell entirely, a real limitation for anyone planning serious braking consistency work. Budgeting for a load cell upgrade, like our guide on what a load cell pedal actually does explains, is worth planning for from the start.
Where It Fits in the Market
For PS5 owners specifically, reviewers note the T598 faces almost no direct competition at its price. PC-only buyers have considerably more options to weigh it against. Either way, the build leans heavily on plastic, but reviewers are consistent that performance doesn’t disappoint despite the material choices, making it a strong value pick for a high-performance, relatively inexpensive entry-level base.
Pros and Cons
What stands out
- Unique axial flux motor delivers powerful, quick wheel snap back
- Overshoot to 10 Nm adds genuine impact to sudden events like oversteer
- Near-unmatched value for PS5 owners specifically
What gives pause
- Overshoot can feel exaggerated depending on settings
- Bundled pedals lack a load cell brake
- Plastic-heavy build compared to metal competitors
FAQ
1. Does the T598 include load cell pedals?
No, the bundled Raceline LTE pedals use a non-load-cell design, a real consideration for serious braking work.
2. Is the T598 a good deal on PS5?
Yes, reviewers note it has almost no direct competition at its price specifically for PS5 owners.
3. What makes the T598’s motor different from other direct drive bases?
It uses an axial flux design called Direct Axial Drive, aligning magnets along the wheel shaft’s axis rather than the more common radial motor layout.
Final Take
The T598 proves Thrustmaster’s willingness to take real engineering risks pays off, delivering strong performance through a genuinely different motor design. The non-load-cell bundled pedals are the clearest place buyers should plan to upgrade first.
- The T598’s axial flux motor delivers powerful, quick wheel snap back reviewers find impressive.
- Overshoot to 10 Nm adds real impact to sudden events, though it can feel exaggerated at times.
- The bundled Raceline LTE pedals lack a load cell brake, a clear first upgrade priority.
- It faces almost no direct competition at its price for PS5 owners specifically.
This review is based on manufacturer-published specifications and independent reporting as of publish date.
