It's been over a year since Logitech's last wheel, the G25, was introduced to the market. What made it such an odd release was that it wasn't timed with a Gran Turismo launch, assuming you don't count HD Concept. The G25 was also what I consider a premium controller, costing $300 and packing features previously unseen in a consumer wheel. Now that Gran Turismo 5: Prologue is out and GT5 is fast approaching, Logitech has seen fit to refresh their Driving Force line with the new Driving Force GT. Though it doesn't pack all of the features of its big brother, the Driving Force GT also costs half as much at $150. Thankfully Logitech only trimmed where appropriate, while at the same time managing to create a great product that seems like it should cost more. Here's a breakdown of the features:

• 11" steering wheel

• Gas and brake pedals

• 900 degrees of rotation lock-to-lock

• Single-motor force feedback

• Real-time adjustment dial changes brake bias, TCS, and more

• Tiptronic shifter

• USB interface

Compared to the Driving Force Pro that came before it, you might think that not a lot has changed, but in fact the GT is an entirely new wheel. The button layout has received some slight tweaking, but the most exciting change is the larger wheel. Logitech bumped the wheel size from 10" to 11", and though that may not seem like much, the difference is quite noticeable in how you grip and move the wheel. Logitech also went back to the drawing board with the force feedback system, working closely with the team at Polyphony Digital to bring a much more realistic feedback system to the Driving Force GT. Though it's still just a single motor in there, the resistance and impact force that the GT can deliver is much improved and approaches the G25's performance.

Though not leather-wrapped, the Driving Force GT's wheel benefits from superb build quality. It's comfortable to grip and once it's securely strapped to a table, I had no concerns of breaking the wheel by applying too much force. Turning our attention to the pedals, Logitech has brought a great feature from the G25 to the DFGT that does a great job of improving the experience when playing on carpet. On the bottom of the pedal base, you'll find a row of small plastic spikes that can flip out, keeping the pedals firmly in place when placed on carpet. I praised the feature on the G25, and I'll praise it again here. No longer will the pedals be slipping and sliding on the floor while tackling the Nurburgring. The pedals themselves however, leave something to be desired. They're not bad, but they're definitely the weakest link in the Driving Force GT's offering. They're functional and you will get used to them, but you never feel like they're pedals from a car. They're too light, too floaty, and just feel cheap. Your lap time won't suffer on their account, but your sense of immersion will.

Getting the Driving Force GT set up is an incredibly easy process that takes no more than 2 minutes. The wheel clamps onto a desk/table with two adjustable levers, then it's simple a matter of connecting the AC adapter and pedal cord to the wheel, and the USB connection to your Playstation 3. Fire up the system and you're good to go. The DFGT easily navigates the Playstation 3's XMB interface and even includes a PS button in the center so you can quit a game without needing to keep a DualShock 3 within arm's reach. For those wondering, yes it does work with a PC, though only in a limited capacity at the moment. Not all of the buttons worked, and the Logitech software recognized it as a Driving Force Pro. That said, there's no reason a PC gamer couldn't enjoy using the Driving Force GT as their primary wheel.

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue supports the Driving Force GT out of the box, but even older racing games work with it. After a couple laps in Prologue with the DFGT, the experience became second nature, and I swear I could almost feel the momentum of my body as I swung through turns. The force feedback provides a great natural pull back to the center while turning, which makes negotiating a hairpin turn much more manageable. Noise is always an issue with force feedback racing wheels, and the DFGT is no exception. However, it does seem like it's not as loud as past Logitech offerings, and before long you won't even notice it. Gearheads that love to tweak settings before every race will learn to love the real-time adjustment dial, which lets you adjust car settings like brake bias, traction control system, and more. Gamers that just want to drive really fast and crash into stuff can safely ignore the adjustment wheel, but sim-junkies will love it. The choice between the sequential shifter and paddles on the back of the wheel also makes it an engaging experience for fans of driving with manual transmissions. My only complaint about the paddle shifters is that they're just buttons on the back of the wheel, rather than levers. The feedback they provide isn't nearly as noticeable as the nice "click" you get on the sequential shifter whenever you switch gears.

There's a reason Logitech makes the official wheels for the "Real Driving Simulator." Their offerings are second to none, and offer the only true way to experience Gran Turismo. The Driving Force GT is a worthy successor to that legacy. Though it doesn't have the premium features of the G25, the Driving Force GT is a wheel for the everyman. If you've already shelled out the dough for a Playstation 3 and an HDTV, you owe it to yourself to complete the set with the Driving Force GT. Playing Gran Turismo on anything less is just a waste of time.