Harsewinkel/Munich. CLAAS machines not only perform well, they are also pleasing to the eye.
This is especially true for the AXION 800 tractor, the JAGUAR 800 forage harvester and the SCORPION 9055-7044 telescopic loader. All three model series have won the renowned iF Design Award.
The AXION 800 has already been decorated with the titles of "Machine of the Year 2014" and "Tractor of the Year 2014". It has now received yet another distinction – this time winning the Gold award for its design in the "Automotive" category.
The official prize-giving ceremony was held on 28 February at BMW World in Munich as part of the iF Design Awards Night. A total of 1220 entries received an iF product design award in 2014. The iF Gold Award was presented to the 50 best competition entrants on behalf of all winners.
Industrial designer Paul Budde, who has been collaborating successfully with CLAAS for 31 years, describes the outstanding features of the prize-winning machines: "The new design of the AXION 800 tractor is characterised by its large air intake areas in the bonnet. The optimal weight distribution of the machine improves both the performance and efficiency of the powerplants. The cab has been positioned further to the front and has also become larger and wider to provide even more space and a clearer overview for the driver. With a powerful and dynamic appearance, the tractor's overall styling fits into the CLAAS tractor family very well."
The two other prize-winning products, the JAGUAR and SCORPION, also represent the unmistakable CLAAS design concept in their own right. "The powerful shaping of the new forage harvester underlines its dynamic characteristics and performance capabilities, forming a perfect symbiosis with the machine's function. The ergonomic cab provides a spacious feel and optimal all-round visibility, not to mention the many driver assistance systems which are available.
The new telescopic loaders also set standards in technology and design. A new frame concept has been developed to provide greater lifting capacity. One important feature is the very low articulation point of the telescopic arm on the frame, which ensures a high level of stability and improves the visibility of the right-hand side of the machine", explains Budde.
The iF Design Award was established over 60 years ago and is considered one of the world's most important design awards. In January, 49 design specialists judged the 4615 products, means of communication and packaging items which were submitted to the competition from 55 countries. The jury sat behind closed doors for three days, with its experts touching, trying out, analysing and, above all, discussing the objects with all of their senses. The submissions were assessed according to clear criteria for design quality, manufacturing quality and functionality. Other criteria included environmental compatibility, safety, the level of innovation and much more.
In picture (from left):
Sven Haertel (Designer of AXION 800 bonnet), Paul Budde (Budde Industriedesign), Michael Kohlem (Head of Research and Development for CLAAS self-propelled harvesting machines), Agnes Pokorny (Head of Communications of CLAAS Tractor) and Ralph Wiegmann (iF General Manager).
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