CLAAS XERION Conquers Nüburgring
Published on 04 September 2020
A CLAAS XERION 5000 Trac VC advanced technology tractor has conquered the Nordschleife (north loop) of the famous Nürburgring racetrack in Germany – in reverse!
The stunt was performed by German magazine, Auto Motor und Sport, as part of its popular Fast Lap segment.
Boasting permanent 4x4 drive, all-wheel steering, continuously variable transmission, four equal-sized 2.15 m diameter tyres, 50 km/h top speed in either direction and rotating cab, the XERION 5000 proved to be perfectly suited to the challenge.
Professional racing driver, Christian Menzel, expertly pushed the 17-tonne beast to its limits as it roared through the 73 curves of the 20.6 km long route to record an average speed of 47.85 km/h – only a fraction shy of its rated speed.
Perched three metres above the tarmac, the high seating position posed a challenge for the driver, who is more commonly found behind the wheel of Porsche 911 travelling at three times the speed.
The most powerful tractor to roll off a German mass production line, the CLAAS XERION 5000 is powered by a 12.8 litre Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder engine that delivers 530 hp and 2,600 Nm of torque.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVSTaAf5Ick
