Thrustmaster unveils Ferrari F458 racing wheel and TH8 RS shifter, dares you to get fast and furious

The big apple, August 18th, 2011 – Xbox 360® paddocks clear the way in which for a sweeping arrival – Thrustmaster, the innovative PC and console accessory brand, today announces the launch of the Ferrari 458 Italia Racing Wheel for Xbox 360. While this iteration doesn’t feature dual carburettors or overhead camshafts, it does boast two official licenses from Ferrari and Xbox 360 – an exclusive worldwide collaboration. a duplicate of the Forza Motorsport 4 hero vehicle, the official F458 Italia, this racing wheel provides the perfect combination to enjoy a very immersive gaming experience – a must-have for true racing enthusiasts!

The end result of a particular development process:
a brand new competitor at the crowded Xbox 360 track which offers progressively more quality racing games, the Thrustmaster crew is definitely-equipped with expertise and leadership within the field of racing wheels. To succeed in the pole position, a selected development process was initiated in close collaboration with Ferrari. The Maranello engineers’ latest flagship, the Ferrari 458 Italia, was chosen as a basis for the creation of this replica racing wheel – a logical choice indeed due to this unique car’s design and character, on par with the Xbox 360′s specifications.

On one side, the Ferrari 458 Italia features an exclusive racing wheel with loads of controls, while at the other, an Xbox 360 controller requires controls which are specific to this console. The Ferrari 458 Racing Wheel for Xbox 360 by Thrustmaster embodies the symbiosis of those two components, combining truly unique design with exceptional ergonomics. The several action buttons and controls are within easy reach of the user’s fingers – making it simple to customise settings while racing, or access the Xbox 360 interface. Most significantly, this lets gamers get happy with the controller incredibly quickly, and concentrate on immersing themselves within the total excitement of racing.

Aggressive and complete:
The racing wheel’s 11 inch diameter wheel and rubber-textured grip will enable drivers to enhance their best lap times consistently, with optimum comfort. Gears are shifted up and down using the wheel’s built-in metal gear shifters. Unrivalled realism and detail are supported by the presence of a “Manettino®” dial enabling users to change certain in-race settings (including changing player views in Forza Motorsport® 4).

Extensive equipment is obtainable out of the box with 8 action buttons, an Engine Start D-pad, an Xbox 360 Guide button and a connector for the Xbox 360 headset and microphone. Under the bonnet dwells a “Bungee Cord” automatic centring system offering progressive resistance over a 270-degree angle, for a more immersive racing experience. The pedal base has not been neglected; it includes a wide footrest, an extended-stroke accelerator pedal and a resistant brake pedal, for more precision.

The Ferrari 458 Italia Racing Wheel for Xbox 360 is designed that will help you cross the finishing line before the contest does – its V8 is its price ticket is every piece as aggressive as its looks!

The Ferrari 458 Italia Racing Wheel for Xbox360 could be available in October at a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Thrustmaster announces the TH8 RS: an absolutely-adjustable gear shifter with superior realism

Big apple, August 18, 2011 – Able to meet the expectancies of racing fans everywhere,
Thrustmaster is launching the TH8 RS – a high-end, stand-alone, versatile gearbox. The device’s two
configurations – H-pattern and sequential – enable drivers to choose their favorite driving style.

Realism and flexibility:
Most sim racers cannot imagine shifting speeds without using a dedicated gearbox. With the TH8 RS, featuring unrivalled technical innovations supported by pending patent applications, Thrustmaster now offers a tool it really is realistic enough to meet even one of the most demanding drivers.

In the beginning glance, the TH8 RS looks able to be suited to a genuine car. It includes a 5.12″ tall stick to a removable knob; the stick is usually compatible with real, universal gear shift knobs. The TH8 RS includes two interchangeable shift plates, each suited for a particular configuration – ―H-
pattern‖ (7 gears plus 1 reverse gear) and ―Sequential‖ (pull the lever towards the ―+‖ mark to gear up, and push it towards the ―–‖ mark to shift down).

Total adjustability:
To permit users to freely adjust the TH8 RS to their convenience, the placement and the rotation angles of the shift plate and clamping system is additionally adjusted by 360 degrees. The removable clamping system, optimized for any variety of support, can also be open to customization: it’s fitted to both table tops and shelves as much as 55 mm thick and cockpits alike (built-in ―screw threads‖ can be found under the TH8 RS). Gear strokes is also adjusted via a downloadable PC application and the device’s internal memory. The gear shifter’s resistance can be fully adjustable.

Superior materials and technologies:
The interior mechanism, the lever, the outer housing and the clamping system are 100% metal. This robust design significantly contributes to the extremely realistic in-game experience delivered by the TH8 RS.

Thrustmaster has designed the TH8 RS with unrivalled precision, by including H.E.A.R.T (Hall Effect AccuRate Technology™) technology featuring magnetic sensors. Avoiding usage of potentiometers or tact switches eliminates wear as a result of contact, thus delivering an enormous product lifespan. Moreover, the firmware may be upgraded to provide all foreseeable evolutions, assuring users that the TH8 RS is here to make a long-lasting impression.

The TH8 RS with USB connectivity is compatible with the T500 RS racing wheel on PlayStation®3 (a listing of compatible games is offered at the Thrustmaster support website) and with all currently available racing wheels for PC.

The TH8 RS would be available in October on the suggested retail price of $179.99.