Kia New Zealand reveals pricing for all-new ute
Just when you thought there wasn’t enough choices for a ute, Kia New Zealand has announced pricing for one of the most eagerly anticipated new model launches of 2025.
Much to the relief of many users of the lime green wagons who prefer self-loading wagons over the more popular precision chop, delivered by self-propelled forage harvesters, it appears all is not lost.
Fellow German company Fliegl has acquired the rights to manufacture and market the self-loading/ dual purpose wagons, initially under the same Cargos product name, but under the Fliegl brand name.
Production will move from Claas’ Bad Salgau factory, releasing space for increased production of the Orbis row crop headers, to Fliegl’s site at Kirchdorf, near the Austrian border.
The first wagons under the new branding are expected to be available in early 2023.
In other Fliegl news, the company’s new Steer-X, electro-hydraulic steering system, differs from other self or forced steering layouts, used to reduced turning radius and tyre wear, by removing the mechanical linkage to the towing tractor.
Steer-X uses a sensor on the trailer that works in conjunction with the tractor’s load sensing hydraulic system and an ISOBUS connection. Using information on inclination and speed, the sensor transmits the ideal steering angle to the steering cylinder.
The system is said to deliver numerous benefits including a wider drawbar steering angle, faster connection and less maintenance, alongside minimised lateral forces when cornering and reduced tyre wear. Additionally, the system can also provide greater driving stability when travelling at higher speeds or when undertaking sudden or evasive manoeuvres.
