Latest news with #SuperGT
Tom's Guide
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
I drove 1,000 miles with the Thrustmaster T598 — here's why it's the best sim racing setup you can buy for under $500
I've tried plenty of mid-range direct drive wheels — built to make the lofty heights of the premium sim racing experiences you see the likes of Jimmy Broadbent and SuperGT use all the more accessible. And all in all, they're great, but just fall slightly short of really giving you that same level of immersion that a $1,000+ rig can give you. But then, I tried the Thrustmaster T598, and I must admit this is the new budget king for PlayStation and PC racers alike. The secret sauce comes with Direct Axial Drive. This isn't your standard DD — rather a new kind of flux motor that alters how that magnetic field works to deliver smooth force feedback (I'll get more scientific about it in the review). What you should know about it from the get go is that it delivers an immense driving experience with really precise detail and a whole lot of intensity that can far exceed that 5nm number. Just like with vastly more expensive wheels, I found myself immediately in tune with any car I was driving — noticing small hints of oversteer to prevent and those tiny sensations that help indicate the right moments to trailbrake and apply the throttle. Speaking of, the pedals also feel great too, with a metal construction to withstand years of attack, along with plenty of customizability, and a load cell brake pedal for smooth inputs. Are there compromises? Of course, it's a $500 wheel after all. The chief one being that the wheel that you get is rather plastic fantastic. This is a modular setup, so you can upgrade that (and I did try the hypercar wheel that I'll talk about a little later on). But all of this is overruled by the simple fact I'm feeling a premium sim racing experience on a wheel that's a fraction of the price of it. If you are looking to elevate your driving on a budget (especially given the price of direct drive PlayStation wheels), this is the one to buy. Let me get into why. Wheel diameter 11.8 inches Wheelbase dimensions 15.7 x 8.6 x 7.9 inches Total weight 10.3 pounds Torque (strength of force feedback) 5Nm + 100% overshoot to 10Nm (strong) Connectivity USB-C, Proprietary pedal and shifter connection ports Ways to attach Desk/table mounting with included clamps, and sim frame screws (with included base plate and torque screw) for a sim rig. So here we are — all set up and ready to race. So I popped in Gran Turismo 7, hopped in the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 from 2013 and burned a couple laps around the Nürburgring to get used to the T598. Getting to the point, this wheel feels phenomenal — gorgeously smooth with plenty of force resistance that feels true-to-life. But to give you the full context of the magic here, I have to get a bit geeky. Read the deep dive ▼ Traditionally, direct drive wheels have used what is called a radial flux motor. Basically, direct drive motors and magnets are placed directly on the steering column to create that smooth force feedback to the wheel. The magnetic flux flows (as the name suggests) radially from the center of the motor to the outside. It's been the best way to do it, but does come with its own issues such as 'cogging,' which comes as the magnets can awkwardly interact with each other some times, and it produces a lot of heat too — leading to higher-priced wheels with more materials to keep them cool. Instead, the T598 uses an axial flux motor, which was only seen in industrial machinery until now. Thrustmaster has put the magnets and motors to make the magnetic flux (yep, you guessed it) axially. This leads to that unique flatter design of the wheel-base, as everything happens parallel to the driving shaft, rather than outwards from it. This leads to more efficient cooling — requiring less materials and a cheaper cost, while also (as claimed by Thrustmaster) reducing cogging by over 99%. The end result is an incredible driving sensation. All the same granular level of detail you'd expect from more expensive wheels in something basically half-the-price. The concrete texture change when entering the Nürburgring's world-famous carousel is immediate with zero latency, which gives you confidence in understanding the speed, the turning angle and when to apply the throttle heading back out. Whether it was paying attention to the tiniest details in time trials to extract as much out of the car as possible, or getting tactical with a good old switcheroo in a race, nothing ever felt artificial — everything felt purer, smoother and less like a fight against magnets. Just make sure you set it up to make the most of that Overshoot, but more on that later. With a sturdy metal construction and with plenty of customizability built-in, the pedals were a pleasant surprise. I've tried wheels that compromise a little too hard with plastic here that makes you a little nervous of breaking them. Without needing a whole lot of time to build them, you're off to the races with a smooth accelerator and a load-cell brake system with various foam options to give you the stiffness you need. Travel can be altered too by moving the bottom of the pedal springs along the ridges. In use, when hurtling down to tight corners, I never felt betrayed by any bad inputs, and the control over trailbraking felt succinct. Not much more you could ask from a set of pedals! Although given the width, I'm a little nervous about how cluttered it may feel with an additional clutch here. Speaking of the clutch pedal accessory, the T598 fits into Thrustmaster's lineup with the modularity to boot and support for a lot of the company's lineup of racing wheels. The one you get in the box is a little cheap and flexes quite a bit under use (more on that later), but alternatively, the Evo Racing 32R leather wheel is fully supported for that more premium round rim experience. If you don't want to rely on the clamp-release of switching wheels, the quick-release upgrade SF1000 can be used too. But the add-on I've been testing is the new Hypercar wheel add-on. And I've got to tell you, firing up a Lamborghini with this wheel just feels elegant. Consider this a mini review — the flatter structure of the wheel, the well-placed buttons and the jog-wheel controls make this ideal for F1 track racing alongside having the luxury build quality to give you supercar vibes. The price may be a little steep, but it's a worthy upgrade with tactility right at its core. With the depth of Thrustmaster's ecosystem, from the hypercar wheel experience and formula wheels, to handbrakes and shifters for rally and more traditional touring car racing, you can tailor this to your racing needs as you go on. Speeding down the Döttinger straight at Nürburgring is a thrilling-yet-terrifying prospect — terrifying because how panicked I get about braking into the tight chicane at the end of it. And in this intense moment of frantic steering for car control, I noticed two key things. The included wheel with the T598 is a bit basic, and its plasticky build does mean it can flex a bit when you're steering hard — making me slightly nervous in the heat of competition. Buttons are placed OK-ish, but outside of the shoulder and face buttons across the top of the central rim, the directional buttons are a little mushy and a bit too close to each other for me to be able to hit the right one from memory wearing gloves. And the lack of any rotating dials makes changing the brake balance or fuel mapping a bit laborious. For a first wheel out of the box, it's fine. But you'll find yourself butting heads with it on some occasions. I'll be honest — this review was set to go south when I first drove. Remember when I said 'provided you tweak the settings?' This is mandatory, otherwise the T598 just feels weird. The settings are easy to change with the buttons on the wheel and the base, but to say you're not getting the best out of the box is a bit strange. Word to the wise, use these wheel settings: Sort these, and you'll get the best possible driving experience. My small gripes about the wheel and settings aside, this is a breakthrough for premium sim racing on a budget — force and detail you'd expect in much more expensive wheels for less than $500. And the other bit I almost forgot to really give props too… This is a PlayStation wheel too. Given the licensing and unique connectivity requirements for Sony's console, direct drive wheels that support PS5 usually come with a huge price tag. Thrustmaster just blew that expectation out the water with the T598. If you are in the market for a new wheel to elevate your experience, but feeling the hurt of the pricing, this is the one to buy!
Top Gear
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Review 2025
You thought BMW was into big grilles? Just have a look at the faces of the current Aston Martin range. The new Vanquish Volante is an absolute stunner though, and everything about this open-topped, self-proclaimed 'Super GT' is big. The mouth itself is apparently 13 per cent bigger than the one on the previous DBS Superleggera Volante. That's to help with cooling, of course, but we reckon the designers didn't mind having to go large. There's also a 25mm wider rear track and an extra 80mm in the wheelbase compared to the old car. Heck, just look at the length of the carbon bonnet. Advertisement - Page continues below What's under that bonnet? Has Aston been downsizing? Absolutely not. Said bonnet hides a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 that sends a terrifying 824bhp and 738lb ft of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed auto gearbox by ZF. Aston freely admits that it wants this car to be just a little bit scary, and it's got the proportions of a proper old school muscle car. Oh, and if for some reason you can't see the roof, you'll be able to tell the Volante apart thanks to its lower rear lip spoiler. The floating 'shield' is still there on the rear though and can be specced in myriad different ways. So, is it fast? Absolutely. The Volante may be saddled with an extra 95kg over the Vanquish coupe thanks to the roof mechanism and some extra body strengthening, but it's still alarmingly quick. That should be obvious with an on-paper 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds (one tenth slower than the coupe) and a top speed of 214mph. But it's the way it gets there that's so visceral, particularly if you spec the lightweight titanium exhaust option and spend 14-seconds dropping the neat 'K-fold' roof. Advertisement - Page continues below And it's not just straight-line speed either, the big Aston gets an e-diff on the rear axle and will go round corners too. Click through to the Driving tab of this review for all the detail. And it's not just straight-line speed either, the big Aston gets an e-diff on the rear axle and manages to shrink itself when things get twisty. This is a near two-tonne car so it's not the last word in steering feel, but it's got a sharp front end and drive modes that allow you to change its character. Click through to the Driving for a full debrief. Tell me more about that roof… Ah yes, that's why you're here isn't it? Aston has gone for a fabric top that can pop back up again at the touch of a button in just 16 seconds. You can operate it both ways at speeds of up to 31mph, and while stowed it sits at just 260mm tall so the rear deck can remain remarkably flat. It also has many layers of insulation, and Aston claims that it offers 'a level of thermal insulation directly comparable to Vanquish Coupe'. Blimey. How much does it cost? Prices should start at around £15k more than the Vanquish coupe, so you're looking at an entry price of around £345,000. Yikes. And you'd better ask the bank manager for even more than that, because the options list is endless and Aston says that over 70 per cent of Vanquish coupes sold so far have had some form of bespoke work carried out by its special Q department. You'll want to get in quick too, because Aston will only build 1,000 examples of the Vanquish each year, with the coupe and convertible both contributing to that overall number. It's probably worth noting that you will actually be saving yourself some cash if you go for the Vanquish over its main rival, though. That's the £366,500 Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider, which also features a whopping V12 engine but does without turbocharging. Your call. Failing that, the bargain bin option is the Bentley Continental GTC. Not something we ever imagined saying about a Bentley. Or a V8 hybrid with more power than a Le Mans Hypercar. But here we are. What's the verdict? ' It doesn't feel as though chopping the roof off has had an adverse effect on the ride and handling ' The Vanquish Volante's headline figures and muscle car looks might make you think that it'd only tell a bedtime horror story, but this is actually a car with a real breadth of ability. It'll sing you a nice lullaby too if you ask it nicely and stick with its softer GT mode. We're yet to drive it back-to-back with a coupe, but it doesn't feel as though chopping the roof off has had an adverse effect on the ride and handling, and it just means that booming V12 sound is even more accessible. Plus, even though it's a fabric roof you could still comfortably cross continents in this thing while still chatting to a passenger or making hands-free calls. Just remember to hang up when things get twisty, because with over 800bhp heading to the rear wheels, the Vanquish still has the ability to transform into a supercar that demands your full attention.
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New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Immersive Super GT's safari bus ride [BTTV]
BEING at eye level as race cars thunder past you on a circuit safari bus is something extremely rare. Top-tier motorsports like Formula 1 simply do not allow it. But Japan's motorsport culture is more open and fan-focused, and such safari bus ride is a great example of that. This writer had the chance to take this unique ride during a Super GT race at Petronas Sepang International Circuit on Friday. Before going more on the safari bus ride, let's digest some key facts about the Japanese Super GT series. The Autobacs Super GT race, held from June 26-28 2025 at the Sepang circuit, made its return to Malaysia after a 12-year absence. Malaysia continues to be the only country outside Japan to host a round of the series. It will return again in 2026 and 2027. UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, together with Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia, is the title sponsor for the Malaysian Sepang track hosted the first overseas (exhibition) race in 2000 and 2001. Back then, it was known as All-Japan Grand Touring Championship. After the two exhibition races, Malaysia was officially included as a full-fledged championship round in 2002, and played host until 2013. What is Safari Bus Ride? The safari bus ride is a special event where fans are taken onto the actual track during live practice or warm-up sessions. Fans typically ride in open-roof or large-windowed buses as Super GT cars whizz past, mere metres away. You are essentially in the middle of the action, with GT500 and GT300 cars roaring by on both sides. The Experience On board the safari bus, yours truly was literally on the circuit with the GT cars, riding safely in a bus while high-powered race machines flew past at speed of 200km-300km an hour. A guide from rights holder and promoter Haro Sports & Entertainment was there to explain what was happening on the track. The bus drove slowly along the circuit, often along parts of the main straight, S-curves or technical sections, while the race cars zoomed past at full speed. This was not just a sightseeing ride. It was a rare opportunity to witness real-time racing action from within the racing line, offering a once-in-a-lifetime perspective normally reserved for marshals or professional media personnel. The sound, speed and wind the GT cars generated were electrifying. The rumble and engine notes were physically felt. This is not simulated or slowed down. They are the real cars, at real speed and right next to you. We can see cars battling for space, doing full-speed practice laps or preparing for qualifying. There were multiple moments when the bus slowed or paused at key corners, allowing those on board to take photos of the cars as they passed by. Because they were so close, even phones can capture great shots. The safari bus ride at a Super GT race is a rare chance for fans to experience the power, speed and precision of professional motorsport from inside the world of the drivers. This is one of those bucket list experiences one will talk about for years.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Vios Challenge turns up heat in Sepang
A single one-hour race marked a monumental milestone for the 2025 Vios Challenge, which made its international debut at the Malaysian round of the Autobacs Super GT. Departing from its usual 10-lap sprint format on a shortened circuit, Round 2 saw all 36 drivers across three classes start together on the full 5.543 km length of the iconic Petronas Sepang International Circuit, doubling the challenge for every competitor. Adding to the international flair, the grid featured racers from Thailand, Singapore and India. The Vios Challenge was made even more special with UMW Toyota Motor and Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia's title sponsorship of the Malaysian round of the Super GT series. In the Super Sporting Class for professionals, Laser Motor Racing's Eddie Lew jumped into an early lead as soon as the race got underway, getting ahead of Wheelcorp's Nabil Azlan. Pole sitter and Laser Motor Racing's second driver Ady Rahimy Rashid dropped seven places into eighth position. Nabil, however, punched into the lead by the third lap with Telagamas Toyota's Freddie Ang moving into second position as Lew also dropped into third by the halfway mark of the race. In the end, it was Ang who claimed the chequered flag ahead of Nabil with Toyotsu Racing's William Ho a further 18 seconds behind in third place. "The initial plan was to attack in the second half of the race but as things unfolded in the race, it went from this to getting to the front and trying to pull away. "In a one-hour race it is extremely challenging and it is critical to manage both the car and tyres," said Ang, who finished the 20-lap race a mere 0.7 seconds ahead of Nabil. "He (Nabil) was on my rear bumper the entire time and every time I tried to pull away he was right there with me. I couldn't do anything more and so I settled for being defensive and trying to just stay ahead. "To be honest it was very taxing on the body, especially with the heat. We are all so used to the sprint race and therefore the second 30-minute stint this weekend really had you feeling body fatigue…it was extremely hot." The Sporting Class for amateurs, meanwhile, was dominated by Hong Huat & Armada KK Racing's Jwan Hii who delivered a dominant drive to finish eight seconds ahead of Kulim Top Wheels' Datuk Dr Ken Foo. In third place was Thai driver Varunchit Wattanathanakun representing RUK Team Nexzter PMC 52. The race was essentially Hii's from start to finish as he dominated from pole position to post the fastest lap time of 2 min: 52.409 seconds. Down the field in the Rookie Class, drama unfolded in the penultimate stages of the race as Aydan Khaliq took victory ahead of Rahul Dev, with Harkiesh Geeva in third position. Harkiesh and Aydan had been trading places for the race lead and with several minutes left to the finish, the former had been poised for what appeared to be certain victory until a mechanical problem denied him of the top spot on the podium. "To be honest, I was very fortunate to finish where I did after Harkiesh lost his third gear despite leading the race for quite a fair bit. But that is part and parcel of racing," said Aydan. "Racing on the full track was also a bit more tiring…Mentally I was fit enough but after competing in the GR86 Cup Malaysia race I practically had to rush to the starting grid for the Vios Challenge. "Nevertheless, competing on a Super GT race week is excellent exposure not only for me as a rookie but the entire Vios Challenge series as it projects local talent and racing internationally," he added.
New Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Sasahara and Alesi power to Autobacs Super GT title
SEPANG: TGR Team Deloitte TOM'S duo Ukyo Sasahara and Giuliano Alesi are hoping to build on their victory in Round 3 of the Autobacs Super GT Championship at the Sepang International Circuit today. The duo claimed the chequered flag with a comfortable 1:56.750 win over the ARTA Honda Civic Type R-GT shared by Tomoki Nojiri and Nobuharu Matsushita who timed 1:59.420. Completing the podium was the Impul Nissan Z NISMO of Bertrand Baguette and Kazuki Hiramine who clocked 1:59.003, after a penalty for the Team Kunimitsu Honda who crossed the line third. Sasahara said the result boosts their overall title hopes, but noted the competition will intensify over the remaining six rounds. "Our target is to win the championship for both drivers. Super GT is very important to be consistent, to get consistent points, and as you can see the leader also finished a decent race, so that's how it should be," said Sasahara in the post-race press conference. "But the next round is a two-phase format, so I'm really looking forward to facing the Fuji Speedway, because I think we're going to have a good chance to race, I mean, with no heavy weight. "I think the next round should be very, very important for us and the championship, so, yeah, keep it active, keep on going. Hope to hang on." Sasahara's fast stint with the No. 37 Toyota GR Supra and quick pit work helped Alesi rejoin just ahead of Nojiri, who challenged him through Turn 14, but Alesi held on and pulled away to clinch their third GT500 win together. Defending champions Sho Tsuboi and Kenta Yamashita recovered from a first-lap spin to finish seventh in the No. 1 TOM'S Toyota, retaining their lead in the standings with 39 points. Sasahara and Alesi are now second with 30. In GT300, Team UpGarage's Takashi Kobayashi and Yuto Nomura took victory in their Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo after a close fight with the Saitama Green Brave Toyota GR Supra GT. Kobayashi held off Hiroki Yoshida by just 0.933 seconds, having lost most of an earlier eight-second lead late in the race. The Saitama car had led early through Seita Nonaka, but a slow stop handed the lead back to UpGarage. Goodsmile Racing's Yuhki Nakayama and Shunji Okumoto completed the podium. Points leaders Naoya Gamou and Togo Suganami were eighth in the LEON Racing Mercedes-AMG, maintaining a 12-point lead over Inging Toyota's Yuui Tsutsumi and Hibiki Taira, who finished sixth. EBM wildcards struggled, with Adrian D'Silva and Dorian Boccolacci 17th in their Porsche 911 GT3 R, while Jazeman Jaafar and Kerong Li came home 19th in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. All 19 cars finished the race.
