Thrustmaster is BACK with a BANG?! (or not...)
This is the brand-new Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R Leather wheel. It's the first in the company's next-gen lineup of sim racing gear, which hopes to take Thrustmaster back into the spotlight and reclaim its crown as one of the leading sim racing hardware manufacturers.
They've sent it to me, and today, I'll be telling you all that's new with this wheel, why it's important, what I don't like about it, and whether it's a good first step for Thrustmaster to take some market share back.
Evo Racing 32R Leather - Review
New for 2024, the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R is an unlicensed leather wheel which, as you could have probably guessed, is 320mm in diameter and suited for maximum versatility across driving disciplines. Fitted with high-quality synthetic leather finish with bright yellow stitching and a brushed aluminum faceplate, it also looks very appealing and honestly feels very good in hand. Here, you'll also notice the 12 buttons, 4 rotary encoders, and an interesting ergonomic D-pad. They don't necessarily have a notable click or feel but they're on par with competitors in the market.
On hand, the wheel feels good with all buttons and encoders within close reach and the wheel being of good thickness - more on this when I talk about its in-game performance.
New for Thrustmaster, and the reason this wheel is a part of their new lineup, is because the steering wheel can be detached from the button box and interchanged with third-party rims as well as others Thrustmaster is currently working on. This process is a bit tedious with a total of 10 individual bolts needing to be removed and then re-attached, but I am very happy to see Thrustmaster implement this new change.
Taking a look behind the rim, you'll find very large magnetic paddle shifters which both look and feel good, albeit their plastic finish does throw off its overall premium feel. Though clicky and tactile, they are quite loud; just take a listen for yourself.
Back here, you will also find a place to install the Thrustmaster quick release systems, both of which are included with this wheel. One is their newer QR and is designed for the T818 direct-drive wheelbase, with the other being the one they've used with all other wheelbases in the past. Either way, you choose the one you need, install it by connecting a small wire, and bolting everything down, and you're good to go. Needless to say, this is a tedious process which many competitors have solved in much better ways, but at least it's a set-it-and-forget-it type thing.
Before I talk about everything I do not like about this wheel, it's worth going over its in-game performance, with which I was, for the most part, very happy.
On Track Performance
As stated before, this is an extremely versatile rim, allowing it to be used for everything from Rally to Formula-style sims, with of course the option of upgrading the rim alone at a future date.
On track, the wheel was comfortable to use with the soft synthetic leather feeling premium and smoothly gliding through my hand, and the paddle shifters at close reach. It's worth noting that despite its large size, this is a surprisingly lightweight wheel - far lighter than equivalent offerings from Moza, Simagic, and Fanatec, which did aid in making the force feedback and details more apparent, albeit not something I would say is a night and day difference.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the RGB telemetry lights which Thrustmaster implemented on the top part of this wheel, something I thought was unusual but did a great job with quick responsiveness and accuracy. Ultimately, through hours of use, I did enjoy this rim and more importantly, it did everything I wanted it to do on track. With that said, though, there are some hefty drawbacks, many of which are significant.
What I do Not Like - Evo Racing 32R
For starters, and I know I haven't mentioned it thus far, is the price tag of this wheel, which is… $300. Now, that's a lot of money, yes, and more than the likes of the Moza CS V2 and Fanatec CSL 320 V2. Now, this price tag, in my opinion, could be worth it - however, there are many things the aforementioned competitors do a lot better for a lot less.
For example, this Thrustmaster rim has no backlighting on the buttons, while the Moza CS V2 does. This Thrustmaster rim weirdly comes with all buttons labeled by number, rather than by function like ABS, traction control, etc. Now, when I saw it also comes with a sticker sheet, I breathed a sigh of relief… except that the sticker sheet ALSO comes with all labels having numbers, just with different fonts, and honestly, whoever approved of this, I want to talk to. Like, why would someone who is clearly serious about sim racing, based on the fact that they're spending $300 on a wheel, want all the buttons labeled by numbers rather than by their actual function?! This is something that makes literally zero sense to me.
Moreover, nowadays, many competitors in the entry to mid-range wheel market are offering carbon fiber faceplates, carbon fiber paddle shifters, metallic quick releases, backlit buttons, and button caps or sticker sheets with an actual purpose, all of which Thrustmaster missed the mark with on this rim.
And unfortunately, I do also have to mention that I found significant flex from this wheel. This was always more so when purposefully applying pressure in an unusual manner rather than that I experienced naturally in-game, but this is still something all the aforementioned competitors didn't struggle with, and this one did.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I don't think all is lost with the Thrustmaster EVO Racing Hub 32R - while competitors at cheaper price points do many things better, I think that if Thrustmaster is able to release compatible D-shaped, Formula, and GT Rims at far cheaper price points, it could make for a great value proposition to the end buyer in the sense that after making the first investment, they're able to continuously upgrade while saving money.
As for the time being, though, with no other compatible rims offered for this button module, I predict this will be a hard sell, albeit with big future potential.
OC SCORE: 6.03
FAQ’s
What is unique about the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R Leather Wheel?
The Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R is a unique, unlicensed leather racing wheel that's 320mm in diameter, designed for maximum versatility across driving disciplines. It features high-quality synthetic leather, bright yellow stitching, a brushed aluminum faceplate, 12 buttons, 4 rotary encoders, and an ergonomic D-pad, making it a standout in Thrustmaster's next-gen lineup.
How does the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R compare to its competitors?
The Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R stands out with its ability to interchange rims and the inclusion of RGB telemetry lights. However, it faces challenges such as a higher price point than competitors like Moza and Fanatec, lacks button backlighting, and offers more intuitive button labeling.
Can the steering wheel of the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R be detached?
Yes, the steering wheel of the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R can be detached from the button box and interchanged with third-party rims or others in development by Thrustmaster, involving a process of removing and re-attaching 10 individual bolts.
What are the features of the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R's magnetic paddle shifters?
The Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R comes with large magnetic paddle shifters that are noted for their clicky and tactile feedback. Despite their plastic finish, which might not suit everyone's taste and their loudness, they enhance the racing experience.
Does the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R include a quick release system?
Yes, the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R includes two quick release systems. One is a newer model for the T818 direct-drive wheelbase, and the other is the traditional system used with other Thrustmaster wheelbases. Installation, though somewhat tedious, is straightforward.
How does the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R perform in various racing simulations?
The Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R excels in in-game performance across a range of racing simulations, offering comfort and versatility. Its lightweight design enhances force feedback and detail perception, while the synthetic leather and paddle shifters ensure a premium feel.
What are the main drawbacks of the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R?
The main drawbacks of the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R include its premium price compared to similar offerings from competitors, the lack of button backlighting, unconventional button labeling, the absence of carbon fiber components, and some noticeable flex under specific conditions.
Is the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R a worthwhile investment for sim racing enthusiasts?
Despite some current limitations, such as its price and the absence of additional compatible rims, the Thrustmaster EVO Racing 32R could become a valuable investment. If Thrustmaster expands its range of affordable compatible rims, it could offer significant long-term value and flexibility for upgrading sim racing setups.
