On 25 July 2024, following 25 uninterrupted years of manufacture, the 100,000th Fendt 700 Vario rolled off the production line in Marktoberdorf.

The Fendt 700 Vario has become a reference tractor for farmers, contractors, and operators outside the agricultural sector. A small turning circle and high performance, coupled with low fuel consumption, has seen the 724 Vario become Germany’s longest-standing top model. Since its conception in 1999 it has received 33 awards in nine categories from nine countries.

"The 700 series is a true allrounder. It has evolved over the last 25 years to provide more power, improved fuel economy and better manoeuvrability whilst being the epitome of comfort," says Ed Dennett, Retail Market Manager, Northwest Europe.

Launched on 30 August 1998, Fendt presented the Favorit 700 Vario series with its stepless transmission and range of four-valve engines. Fendt was the first manufacturer to introduce machine operation via joystick and terminal in the 115 to 160 hp power class. 10,000 of the first model were manufactured and the series won the "Tractor of the Year 1999" award.

In 2003, the " Favorit" name was dropped and a new Tractor Management System (TMS), which controlled the engine and transmission, optimised the injection quantity and engine speed, was introduced.

“At low loads, the engine speed was lowered, which improved fuel consumption. The Variotronic headland management system memorised and automated function sequences at the headland, and just one push of a button could trigger 13 functions. This saved time and money and made the second generation a bestseller,” explains Mr Dennett.

The ensuing third generation brought track guidance and a fully automatic guidance system which made precision field work the norm. Generation four had a new appearance featuring the curved VisioPlus cab and a multifunctional armrest for the first time. New SCR technology saved up to 10 percent diesel and, in 2012, the 724 Vario had the best result in the DLG-PowerMix Test performance class.

The fifth generation 700 featured a Coated Soot Filter (CSF) and external exhaust gas recirculation, reducing diesel consumption and halving AdBlue consumption. However, the sixth generation broke the mould again with its new FendtONE operating system.

“FendtONE brought a new multifunction armrest and the 3L joystick. This was a completely new approach to Fendt operation, enabling function buttons on the armrest and joystick to be freely assigned. In addition, FendtONE onboard and offboard provided Smart Farming options,” says Mr Dennett.

Today, the Fendt 700 Vario Gen7 offers up to 300 horsepower.

“As it did 25 years ago, development started on a blank sheet of paper with the aim of building the most manoeuvrable, fastest and most efficient 700 of all time. The Gen7 makes the technologies of the larger Fendt tractors accessible to the compact class up to 300 hp. A new single-stage Fendt VarioDrive drive train, integrated VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system and a licence for speeds of up to 60 km/h made the 728 Tractor of the Year 2023, and it is just as groundbreaking as the very first 700 series was 25 years ago,” concludes Mr Dennett.