Cranking Up the Torque: An In-Depth Look at the Thrustmaster T500 RS Racing Wheel

As a sim racing enthusiast and content creator, one of the most common questions I see debated is just how strong the legendary Thrustmaster T500 RS wheel really is. With its industrial-strength brushless motor and 16:1 pulley system, the T500 RS marked a new era in high-torque force feedback when it launched.

But in today‘s market with new direct drive contenders offering 8+ Nm of torque, does the veteran T500 still pack a punch? Let‘s find out!

What‘s Under the Hood: T500 RS Torque Stats

According to Thrustmaster‘s official specs, the T500 RS utilizes a 65 watt brushless motor capable of 150 millinewton-meters (mNm) of torque. Thanks to a hefty 16:1 gearing ratio, the wheel then outputs a meaty 2.4 Nm of torque right at the steering wheel‘s grip.

• T500 Motor Torque: 150 mNm
• Gear Reduction: 16:1
• Wheel Torque: 150 mNm x 16 = 2.4 Nm

Now 2.4 newton-meters may not sound like a crazy number on paper—but keep in mind that this is a continuous rating. The T500 RS can actually peak around 3.5-4.0 Nm during momentary spikes.

T500 Torque vs. Other Wheels

To better understand where the T500 RS stands on the torque spectrum, let‘s see how it compares to some other popular consumer racing wheels:

Right away the T500‘s high torque for a belt-driven wheel stands out—handily exceeding entry-level gear wheels like the Logitech G29. The T500 nearly matches the CSL DD‘s peak torque, an impressive feat considering the DD uses direct drive technology.

Sim Racing Experts Weigh In On T500 Torque

Beyond the specs, when it comes to torque, the proof is ultimately in the pudding—how strong does the T500 actually feel while racing? I decided to poll some of my fellow sim experts to get their takes:

"The detail and road texture you can feel through the wheel is excellent. You can feel subtle rear grip changes through the wheel that lower torque bases just don‘t replicate." – Mike, SRP

"Under heavy braking the T500 wheel force really fights against you—much more realistic resistance than my old G29. Love it for drifting too since you feel the rear end losing traction." – Alex, TeamRedline

The consensus seems to be that while the T500 may not match the sheer strength of high-end direct drives, its precise and detailed force feedback truly elevates the realism through everything you feel at the wheel.

Direct Drives: The Gold Standard for Racing Torque

That said, there‘s no denying that direct drive (DD) bases have become the new gold standard when it comes to torque. DD wheels ditch gears and belts, directly connecting the motor shaft to the wheel. This creates an exceptionally smooth and responsive feel with torque output currently exceeding 25+ Nm on high-end models.

However, it comes at a premium—DD bases alone often cost more than a T500 set! For sim racers wanting pro-level performance without breaking the bank, the T500 RS still delivers an excellent balance of strength and value.

Putting the T500 RS Through Its Paces

As both a sim racer and content creator focused on racing games, I’ve spent countless hours pushing the T500 to its limits:

• Cranking the wheel to counter oversteer in Project CARS 2
• Fighting against wheel wobble down the Mulsanne Straight in iRacing
• Controlling lurid drifts in Assetto Corsa
• Stirring up clouds of red dirt in DiRT Rally

Every time, the T500 impresses me with its strong dynamic range—subtly smooth on tarmac yet startlingly powerful hits of force conveying traction loss and crashes with superb realism. The hybrid belt/gear system responds lightly and naturally compared to gear-driven alternatives.

While a DD may offer even finer detail and response, for the cost the T500 RS remains a superb mid-range choice, offering passion and performance at an affordable price. Its reputation as a legend of sim racing torque is well earned!

I hope this in-depth exploration has provided some insightful answers into exactly how beastly the T500‘s torque output really is both on paper and on the track. Let me know your thoughts and experiences with this classic racing wheel in the comments!