Claas has unveiled its biggest Xerion range yet, taking the company’s offering of high-hp wheeled tractors to over the 500hp mark – the Xerion 4500 putting out 483hp and the 5000, 524hp.

Both models come with ZF CVT transmissions and are the first tractors in this power segment to offer this, usually larger tractors adopt powershift gearboxes instead. The 4500 and 5000 will have 50kph boxes as standard.

Like the TRAC concept of the smaller Xerions, the new models adopt a full frame chassis from which everything else is bolted. Unladen, the 5000 weighs in the region of 13.4t, but with wheel and front weights this can be increased to a hefty 24t.

There are twin 24V batteries which start the tractor and power work lights with energy left over for implements, too, says Claas. But for things like the Cebis controller, there’s another 12V battery on board.

They’re expected in the UK from autumn 2010.

Claas also had a new, compact tractor range on show. The Elios will come in 72hp, 78hp and 88hp versions and will be a smaller version of the Axos.