AGCO's economic new Challenger

The new E series covers two ranges: the MT700E with models up to 323kW (431hp) and the MT800E with models up to 478kW (637hp).

AGCO marketing director Simon Hole, Melbourne, said the most significant development had been the change in engines where the 700 models now featured Agco Power 9.8-litre engines and the 800 models featured Agco Power 16.8-litre V12 engines.

"Up until the A, B and C series we had Caterpillar engines. In the D series we moved the 700 to the Agco Power engine. Now with the release of the E series both the 700 and 800 have Agco Power engines in them," he said.

"The 700 series now goes from six-cylinders to Agco Power's own in-line seven-cylinder engine which takes the standard horsepower rating of the machine up to 400 horsepower (300kW).

"It puts that machine into a new part of the market. There was a gap between the 700 and the 800 series. The 700 is now bigger, closing the gap and putting us into a new part of the market."

Mr Hole said the E series was particularly well suited to row crop applications.

In addition to the change to the engine, he said the big impact was the tractor's high level of fuel economy.

"In dyno tests the 775E at maximum rated horsepower has been running at 75 to 77 litres/hour which is exceptionally good. We are getting exceptional fuel economy out of the Agco Power engines," he said.

"We found the same with the new quad turbo V12 engine (in the 800 models)."

JGW Harvest and Tillage machinery dealer Adrian Quilty, Wagga Wagga, NSW, said the new Challenger E series showed impressive results during dynometer testing at AGCO's new Brisbane plant.

"On the dyno it is punching out close to 400 horsepower and only using 70 to 75 litres/hour which is very competitive in the market. If you are saving 25 litres an hour at $1.60/litre that is a big saving. That will sit nicely with a lot of potential operators," he said.

Mr Hole said the 700 models were now larger, longer machines on a new frame.

"It has put us into a new part of the market. We think more and more broadacre farmers who used to run the 800 machines will move down to the top of the 700 range and get economies of scale," he said.

Both the 700 and 800 have the Challenger Mobil-trac undercarriage system that features oscillating mid-wheels to give a smoother ride and a level of belt contact that maximises power to the ground.

At the same time the system helps offset soil compaction.

The first four machines of the E series range - one 800 and three 700s - have arrived in Australia from Agco's Jackson facility in Minnesota, United States.

One is a collector's item - the only black, limited edition, 700 series 'stealth' machine. It is the 29th of the 29 built.