As we get ready for the Xbox E3 Briefing to begin later today, let’s kick off the week with a hardware announcement. It’s the Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel and it goes on sale later this year for US $59.99. I‘ve uploaded a few photos so you can take a look at it for yourself.

Here are some details from the press release:

Launching in early October, the Wireless Speed Wheel is completely wireless and controlled intuitively with precise steering, standard controller buttons/triggers, and haptic feedback with rumble. The device is compatible with all racing games right out of the box*. The Wireless Speed Wheel will be available for $59.99 (U.S. ERP) and will ship to retailers worldwide beginning September 26, 2011. This device combines a fun and immersive driving experience with the biggest racing game of the year, the best rated “Forza Motorsport.”

With trigger buttons for gas and brake, combined with a rumble feedback, the Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel provides intuitive standard controller buttons that immerse the driver into the game, whether you like to white knuckle it down the race track with your hands at “10 and 2” or “9 and 3.”

The new Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel balances the realism of a wheel with the feel of a controller for greater user edge in game play. It includes buttons for game specific functions including triggers, ABXY and D-pad along with green bands of lights on each handle to provide visual cues when necessary.

For more information on the Wireless Speed Wheel, visit www.xbox.com.

*Limited functionality in some games. See www.xbox.com/wsw for details.

If you have any questions about it, post in the comments and I’ll try and answer them.

Update: The Wheel can now be pre-ordered.