New Holland’s Straddle Tractor Concept has won a gold medal at the German Design Award 2023 competition in the ‘Excellent Product Design’ category. The German Design Award is the prestigious prize awarded by the German Design Council, Germany’s design and brand authority based in Frankfurt. The jury members form a unique network of experts in innovations and design.

Revealed at SITEVI 2021, the Straddle Tractor Concept is a co-production of New Holland Agriculture and Pininfarina, the world-renowned design house. The concept tractor was specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of narrow vineyards.

These operations produce high-quality, high-value wines from grapes grown in rows less than one- and-a-half metre wide, often on steep slopes and on small vineyards. In these conditions, grapes are picked by hand and most of the vine maintenance work is done by means of a tractor travelling overhead the rows.

The futuristic design developed by Pininfarina combines safety, comfort, and technology: it is inspired by the shape of a glass (flute) of Champagne – tall, wide at the top and tapering down at the bottom – as a homage to premium wine growers of regions such as Champagne, Médoc and Burgundy.

The cab is completely made by glass, providing the operator with exceptional visibility on the vines and all around and it is angled in the direction of travel, adding dynamism to the design. The overall exterior look of the machine stands out for the flowing and dynamic automotive-inspired lines. The exposed frame confers a sporty look.

The interior features a large single door and rotating seat, with use of wood contributing to the cab’s plush, luxurious feel, again reminding of wine barrels. In keeping with New Holland Agriculture’s longstanding and ever-growing commitment to all aspects of sustainable agriculture and the brand Clean Energy Leader strategy, the concept has been created as ready for the electric traction, for a future of alternative energies-fuelled machines.

Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland Agriculture says: “The revolutionary Straddle Tractor Concept is the result of the cooperation of two specialists in their respective area which offer an elegant design, outstanding innovation and forward-thinking idea of machines in agriculture. It is an honour for New Holland to receive this unexpected award, it makes us even more willing to continue to develop safe, comfortable, high quality and of course, well-designed machines.”

Alfredo Palma, Chief Transportation Designer at Pininfarina, says: “The futuristic design of the Straddle tractor Concept is a balanced mix of functionality and style, where comfort and safety meet a unique personality inspired by the shape of the champagne glass. We are very proud of the collaboration with New Holland and the assignment of the German Design Award is a further endorsement of the great result reached together.

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