Best PS4 Steering Wheels and Racing Accessories for Project CARS

Project CARS arrived on PlayStation 4 as a major entry in the racing simulator genre. Developer Slightly Mad Studios included support for a variety of racing peripherals to enhance the experience. The game was also announced to support the upcoming Project Morpheus virtual reality headset, making a dedicated racing setup a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking deep immersion. For players looking to move beyond a standard controller, several steering wheels, pedal sets, and shifters were compatible at launch.

Officially Supported PlayStation 4 Wheels

Slightly Mad Studios confirmed native PS4 support for two Thrustmaster wheels, offering distinct options for different budgets and levels of commitment to sim racing.

Thrustmaster T300RS

The T300RS was positioned as the premier choice for PS4 racers. It features a full 1080 degrees of rotation, allowing for nuanced and precise steering inputs that mirror real-world race cars. The wheel’s standout feature is its force feedback system, powered by an industrial-class brushless motor. This system uses a dual-belt mechanism to deliver smooth, responsive, and detailed feedback, translating the car’s interaction with the track surface, tire grip, and weight shifts directly to the driver’s hands. This level of feedback is critical for understanding a car’s behavior at the limit. The T300RS package includes a set of metal pedals for durability and a more authentic feel underfoot. Its design is also part of Thrustmaster’s ecosystem, allowing users to swap the wheel rim or upgrade to more advanced pedal sets and shifters.

Thrustmaster T80

For those seeking a more affordable entry point, the Thrustmaster T80 was the official budget-friendly option. It is important to understand its significant compromises compared to the T300RS. The T80 lacks force feedback, instead using a bungee cord system to provide linear resistance and self-centering. This means it does not communicate what the car is doing on the track. The wheel’s rotation is also limited to 270 degrees, which is more akin to an arcade-style experience and less suitable for the precision required by a simulator like Project CARS. While it provides a wheel-and-pedal layout, the T80 offers a fundamentally different and less immersive experience than a force-feedback wheel.

Compatible PS3 and PC Wheels

In addition to native PS4 wheels, the developer enabled compatibility for several popular PlayStation 3 and PC models, giving players with existing hardware a direct path to playing Project CARS on the new console.

Thrustmaster T500RS

A flagship model from the PS3 era, the T500RS remained a top-tier option. It boasts a powerful force feedback motor and 1080 degrees of rotation, delivering an experience comparable to the newer T300RS. A key feature of the T500RS was its high-quality, all-metal T3PA-PRO pedal set, which was included in the box and offered adjustable spacing and pressure. The pedals could also be inverted from a floor-mounted “F1-style” to a suspended “GT-style” configuration, offering a level of customization sought by serious sim racers. The wheel utilizes Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) with a 16-bit resolution sensor for extreme precision that does not decrease over time.

Thrustmaster T300 Ferrari GTE

This wheel is functionally very similar to the T300RS, sharing the same base with a brushless motor, dual-belt system, and 1080-degree rotation. The primary difference is its branding, featuring a 7:10 scale replica of the Ferrari 458 Challenge wheel. For fans of the Italian marque, it offered the same high-performance technology with a different aesthetic.

Thrustmaster T100 Force Feedback

The T100 occupied a middle ground. It includes a force feedback system, providing a significant advantage over the T80 by communicating track details and car physics. However, its rotation is limited to 270 degrees, similar to the T80, which can feel restrictive in a simulation. It served as a viable entry-level force feedback option for players who prioritized tactile feedback over a full range of steering rotation.

Shifters and Pedal Add-Ons

For the most authentic manual driving experience, players could supplement their wheel setup with dedicated shifters and upgraded pedal sets. These accessories are compatible with Thrustmaster’s higher-end wheelbases like the T300RS and T500RS.

Gearbox Shifters

The Thrustmaster TH8RS and its successor, the Thrustmaster TH8A, provide realistic gear shifting. Constructed largely from metal, these units are durable and precise. They support two shifting styles: a traditional H-pattern for cars with a manual gearbox and a sequential mode for modern race cars. Using a shifter with a clutch pedal adds a layer of skill and engagement that is impossible to replicate with paddle shifters or buttons. The TH8A was the newer version available at the time.

Pedal Sets

Upgrading pedals can dramatically improve car control, particularly with braking. The Thrustmaster T3PA Wide Pedal Set is a three-pedal unit that adds a clutch, essential for use with an H-pattern shifter. The pedals are fully adjustable for spacing and inclination. For the ultimate setup, the Thrustmaster T3PA-PRO 3-Pedal Add-On Set is a premium, 100% metal unit. Its main advantage is its versatility, allowing for both floor-mounted and suspended mounting positions to replicate different real-world driving configurations. It also includes optional conical rubber brake mods for a progressive feel that simulates the pressure of a real brake system.

Fanatec Hardware Compatibility

Slightly Mad Studios also confirmed support for a range of hardware from Fanatec, a brand known for its high-end, modular sim racing equipment. While these products were sometimes less widely available than Thrustmaster’s, they were popular among dedicated enthusiasts.

Project CARS on PS4 was compatible with the following Fanatec products:

• Porsche Wheels: Several Porsche-licensed wheels were supported, including the Fanatec Porsche 911 GT2, Porsche 911 GT3 v2, and Porsche 911 Turbo S. These models were praised for their authentic designs and strong force feedback.
• CSR Wheels: The Fanatec CSR and CSR Elite wheels, often bundled with their respective pedal sets, were also compatible. The CSR line was designed to offer a strong price-to-performance ratio.
• ClubSport Wheel Bases: The Fanatec ClubSport Wheel Base and the updated ClubSport Wheel Base v2 were supported. These bases are the core of Fanatec’s modular ecosystem, allowing users to attach various wheel rims, shifters, and pedal sets. The ClubSport series is known for its powerful belt-driven force feedback and premium build quality, representing a significant investment for serious sim racers.

This extensive list of compatible hardware ensured that PlayStation 4 players had numerous options to build a racing setup that matched their budget and desired level of realism for Project CARS.