CLAAS has announced the arrival of its new Ares tractors and FARMERS WEEKLY has obtained a preview of the range.

These will be the first true Claas tractors to reach the market since the German manufacturer’s take-over of Renault Agriculture in 2003.

The new Ares models are the first machines to be wholly designed by Claas engineers at the Le Mans tractor plant in France.

The range is made up of seven models which span a power bracket of 90hp to 140hp.

According to Claas, the addition of two extra models – the Ares 120hp 577 and the Ares 140hp 697 – is designed to bridge the power gap existent in the old Ares range. As with previous models, the new tractors are powered by John Deere engines.

The appearance of the new tractors is the most outwardly obvious change. The lime green bonnet borrows curves and bug-eyes lights from Claas’ smaller Celtis range and the cab is said to share styling from Lexion combines.

The transmission is claimed to be the most significant development on the technical side. All machines are fitted with a new four range, six speed powershift gearbox.

Dubbed Hexashift, it is standard on all machines and requires no mechanical shifting, all gear and range changes are performed via push-button technology.

The gearshift lever doubles as a hand throttle and, according to Claas, allows increased machine control with reduce operator input. A transmission option – called Hexactiv – is available which will perform automated gear shifting through the ranges.

Of the seven Ares models, four are available in lower specification form. With an ATX designation, these machines are not fitted with air conditioning, have no cab suspension and are equipped with a lower spec pick-up hitch.

* Available in lower spec ATX form. Expect to pay £2000 – £3000 less than a standard model