The milestones #2003 – 2010
When CLAAS acquired a major share in Renault Agriculture in 2003, this started a new chapter in the company’s history. The acquisition was completed in 2008, but CLAAS’ seed-green tractors started to come off the assembly line as early as 2003. As a result, CLAAS offered a full range of tractors, from narrow-gauge machines to the flagship XERION, developed and built in Harsewinkel, to complement the company’s extensive harvesting technology portfolio.
2003
2003 marked a turning point for the Le Mans tractor factory. CLAAS took over a majority of shares in the company, and from late 2003 onwards the complete range of tractors was manufactured in CLAAS seed green. With this acquisition, CLAAS became a full-line manufacturer.
The NEXOS, ARES and ATLES series made in Le Mans cover an output range from 74 to 250 hp. In 2005, the ATLES 946 with 275 hp extended this range even further at the top.
Together with the NECTIS and XERION, the CLAAS portfolio therefore covered almost the entire range from 66 to 379 hp seamlessly.
2005
In 2005, CLAAS launched the new-generation tractors ARES 500 and 600 ATZ. These machines broke new ground in terms of their design, and their four- and six-cylinder engines covered the range from 100 to 140 hp rated output. The new HEXASHIFT transmission with six powershift speeds and HEXACTIV auto-shift function delivered even greater efficiency and operator comfort.
2006
In 2006, CLAAS introduced the entirely newly developed AXION 800 series. State-of-the-art six-cylinder DPS engines with 6.8 l displacement delivered up to 230 hp. With DRIVESTICK technology, the 6-fold GIMA HEXASHIFT powershift transmission was controlled just by moving the right thumb, and the powershift speeds could be changed automatically. From 2008 onwards, CLAAS offered ZF’s continuously variable CMATIC transmissions, which had been launched at the previous year’s Agritechnica, as an alternative.
The generous, ergonomically designed cab with four-point suspension supplemented by a suspended front axle set new benchmarks.
2007
In 2007, CLAAS replaced the mid-range ARES models by new tractors from the ARION 500 and ARION 600 series. These models were economically powered by four- and six-cylinder FPT and DPS engines with 105 to 184 hp. The large, suspended cab was equipped with ergonomic features such as the armrest console from the larger AXION 800 series. Power, efficiency and comfort have ensured that these series continue to be much in demand on the second-hand tractor market.
The ARION 400 series with 90 to 110 hp followed in 2009. These models also featured four-cylinder FPT engines.
