Futuristic STEYR tractor concept nabs prestigious design award

Austrian tractor brand, STEYR, turned plenty of heads at the Agritechnica trade show in Germany last year when it unveiled its aptly named Konzept tractor prototype featuring a sleek and futuristic design.

Several months on, it captured the attention of a judging panel at the MUSE Design Awards which acknowledges excellence in design across a range of industries including fashion, product and packaging, landscape and architecture and more.

The STEYR Konzept was named the MUSE Design Awards Conceptual Design of the Year thanks to its innovative technologies and stunning design which the judges said is not just pleasing to the eye but also functional.

“STEYR engineers have developed the STEYR Konzept, combining innovative technologies in a hitherto unique way to create an environmentally friendly, yet efficient and, above all, functional tractor concept,” the experts said.

The Konzept tractor was developed in partnership with STEYR’s sister powertrain brand FPT Industrial and is a sustainable, potentially zero emission machine, STEYR said.

Conceived by the design team of STEYR’s parent company -  CNH Industrial, the Konzept incorporates some of STEYR’s key styling cues such as a traditional external white cab and an asymmetrical grille but with a modern twist.

STEYR has equipped the Konzept with a minimalist cab that utilises advanced display projection technology. Key operating parameters are projected on to the front transparent screens to enhance overall operator visibility and access to at-a-glance information. The aim of the design is to reduce operator fatigue and improve overall productivity.

At the heart of the innovative machine is a modular hybrid electric drive, comprising a combustion engine, a generator, and several electric motors. The compact 4.5-litre 4-cylinder engine works at optimal speed as an energy generator to charge the batteries. The engine is disconnected from the wheels, and traction is provided by four independent electric motors directly installed in the wheel hubs. Depending on the application, the concept can achieve a 10 per cent fuel saving versus a pure diesel tractor, STEYR said.

Tractor hydraulics and PTO are electrically driven, with the latter allowing variable engine speeds as well as reversing. 700V and 48V connections are available for electrical implements.

In addition, the STEYR Konzept will also offer precision farming solutions which is increasingly important in modern farming practices. It will come with a drone equipped with crop sensors which will fly ahead of the tractor during field work to supply real-time data.

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