In the gearhead community, one type of vehicle is underrated: the tractor. And it makes sense because tractors are not vehicles but farm equipment. They are huge and slow, which places them far from beautiful rides. Of course, modified tractors can go fast, like the one Matt LeBlanc built on Top Gear or those competing in races or other events. In Rural Thailand, locals hold crazy racing events with modded tractors.
In addition, tractors cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, unless it is farm equipment, it makes no sense to buy a tractor for fun driving when Ferraris and Porsches are still in production. However, many tractors out there are very cool.
Updated September 2022: The name Lamborghini is just as important in the tractor world as it is in the sports car world, but that doesn't mean no one makes better tractors – far from it. We've updated this article with some of the best tractors on the market that can rival the Lamborghini.
Of course, the "cool factor" is probably the last thing on the mind of someone looking for a tractor. Buyers usually care about boring stuff like how fast it can plow a field or how fuel efficient it is. But, from a gearhead perspective, many buyers have gotten to appreciate the awesomeness of technology that goes into modern and modified tractors. In addition, tractors look fierce and beautiful thanks to their massive wheels and narrow noses. Luckily, tractor makers like Case IH, John Deere, or AGCO are in continuous innovation and, in addition to developing technology that gives tractors more power and even allows some level of autonomy. Modern tractors have also paid close attention to design.
Although Lamborghini is responsible for some of the coolest Italian cars in history, serious gearheads would choose one of these tractors over any Lambo.
16 Valtra Versu T254
The Valtra Versu T254 was awarded the 2018 European Tractor of the Year 2018. One of the main features of Valtra Versu T254 tractors is the smart touch technology, which comes with a 9-inch touch-screen, a multifunctional drive lever, and a hydraulic joystick, which significantly simplifies the operator's workload.
The judges at the 2018 Agritechnica were greatly impressed by the Smart Touch tech in the Versu T254, one of the most advanced auto technologies in the modern world. Agritechnica is the number one trade fair for agricultural machinery in the world. In addition, the tractor bagged the award for the Best Design category. The Versu T254 looks like an angry giant insect, and that's very cool.
15 Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 6205
In addition to its cool name, the Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 6205 boasts a powerful Deutz six-cylinder engine that develops 204hp at 2,000 rpm. It is fitted with Deutz Common Rail, electronically-controlled high-pressure fuel injection, and turbocharged forced induction with an intercooler and wastegate.
Moreover, the Agrotron 6205 tractor features a unique system called the Electronic Engine Governor, which monitors engine parameters and can adjust injection to optimize engine performance. The driver can set, store and enable the parameters required for the job. It's also worth mentioning that in 2017, another Deutz-Fahr Agrotron 6-series tractor, the 6215, received the Tractor of the year – Best Design Award.
14 John Deere 9560RT
Besides being one of the most potent tractors available, the John Deere 9560RT is also one of the most expensive on the market. It has a price sticker of over $350,000. According to the manufacturer, this tractor features a 13.5-liter, six-cylinder engine capable of a constant output of 560hp, connected to an 18-speed PowerShift transmission.
With this engine, the 9560RT has a hitch-lift capacity of up to 20,000lbs and a drawbar towing capacity is up to 12,000lbs. It also looks quite aggressive with the sharp and square front grille and wide tracks.
13 Minneapolis Moline UDLX
The Minneapolis Moline UDLX is an exciting piece of automotive and farm equipment history. You can notice from the picture that it looks like a hybrid of a car and a tractor. In 1938, Minneapolis-Moline built a Comfortractor, which combined a streamlined cab and a set of fenders on a tractor chassis.
The idea was to create a vehicle that would combine a tractor's utility with a regular car's comfort. It was an innovative approach because tractors at the time came without a cab. The UDLX was also reasonably fast for a tractor. It could reach a top speed of 24 mph.
12 Porsche Diesel Junior
Just as its name suggests, the Porsche Diesel Junior is a tiny tractor produced by Porsche Diesel between 1952 and 1963. It's interesting to point out that even though Ferdinand Porsche is known as the mastermind behind such iconic vehicles as the Porsche 911 and the Volkswagen Beetle, he also wanted to build tractors for quite some time before unveiling the first model in 1950.
It's so tiny that it's powered by a single-cylinder, 822cc engine with an output of 14hp. The tractor was later to include twin-, triple-, and four-cylinder engines. Besides being a Porsche, the Diesel Junior was very affordable, which made it a popular vehicle.
11 Challenger 1000
The Challenger 1000 series comes from the agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO. Before 2002, the brand belonged to Caterpillar Inc. It was launched in 1986, and its existence today only proves how sturdy the vehicle is. The 8-wheeled beast features a 12.4-liter engine that can develop between 396hp and 517hp. These numbers make the Challenger 1000 one of the most powerful fixed-frame tractors on the market.
The tractors also have a unique stepless transmission that allows for higher torque at lower engine speeds. The AccuDrive transmission on the Challenger 1000 drives the front axle by a separate transmission output independent of the rear axle. Moreover, Challenger 1000 tractors are relatively light but compact enough for excellent maneuverability and better fuel economy.
10 Valtra A4
The Valtra A4 was manufactured in 2018 and attracted massive attention almost immediately. As one of the best modern tractors, the A4 was designed around the driver. It is comfortable, convenient, and pretty easy to use. Although the A4 is a smaller package compared to its usual older tractors, it is still impressive in every aspect – performance, and comfort.
The A4 tractors feature six-cylinder engines with choices of 3.3 liters of 4.4 liters. Their power output ranges between 75hp and 130hp. In addition, the tractors come with all-wheel drive systems, diff lock, and high ground clearance, making them perfect for forestry work and off-road adventure driving.
9 McCormick X7
The McCormick X7 series are tractors made by Italy-based Argo to replace the McCormick X70 series. The X7 tractors come with PowerShift and CVT transmission options and four-cylinder 4.5-liter or six-cylinder 6.7-liter engines.
The tractors have power outputs between 165 and 225 horsepower. The most potent four-cylinder model is the X7.460, which develops 175hp. In addition, for the first time, Argo opted for ZF transmissions instead of in-house, fitting X7s with 24-speed Pro Drive units.
8 Zetor by Pininfarina
Pininfarina is a legendary name. The coachbuilder behind such icons as the Ferrari Testarossa, the Ferrari 250 GT, the F40, and the Enzo. Therefore, it's no surprise that a tractor designed by Pininfarina is better than a Lamborghini. In 2016, the Czech manufacturer ZETOR unveiled the ZETOR by Pininfarina tractor, representing a design concept that will eventually be implemented across the entire ZETOR model lines.
The Italian coachbuilder created a stunning and bold design that underlines the tractor's power and dynamics but is also elegant. In this way, ZETOR and Pininfarina aim to create tractors that aesthetically stand aside from the traditional practical design of other machines.
7 Landini Rex 4
The Landini Rex4 V tractors are small and agile, which makes them perfect for work in orchards or vineyards. The tractors know how to stand out. They are stylish with the sleek, dynamic lines on the hood, the lounge cab with the flat-deck platform, and the headlights that have seamlessly integrated with the front grille. All these features are designed to give the Rex4 a look and feel of a car.
The Rex 4 V tractors are fitted with four-cylinder, 2.9-liter Deutz Stage 3B engines that can develop between 70hp and 102hp. They are also equipped with Engine Memo Switch, which allows the operator to store and recall engine speed options depending on the required work. The Landini Rex 4 V series can also have two- or four-wheel drive systems – sounds like an everyday car.
6 New Holland T9
The New Holland T9 is a big four-wheel drive tractor powered by a six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged 12.9-liter engine that can develop between 462hp to 682hp. In tests conducted by the University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, the most potent New Holland T9, the T9.700, registered records for drawbar fuel efficiency, drawbar horsepower, and maximum pull.
In addition, New Holland also has added a CVT option to five of its flagship T9 tractors, but the two most potent models still have only the UltraCommand PowerShift transmission. This tractor features high-capacity axles and ultra-efficient and powerful engines. It is also equipped with advanced transmission control designed to make it as efficient as possible. The tractor features comfort and safety features designed to offer a car's driving experience.
5 1050 Fendt Vario
The 1050 Fendt Vario is the flagship offering of the German brand, and it looks awe-inspiring, in addition to being fully equipped. The 1050 Fendt Vario comes with a 12.4-liter engine that develops 517hp and is connected to the company's VarioDrive CVT gearbox.
It's also pretty fast for a tractor, capable of reaching a top speed of 37 mph on single wheels, but there is also an option with dual wheels. It also packs lots of technology that makes many operations more manageable, but all this comes at a steep price of over $400,000.
4 Case IH Quadtrac 540 CVX
Here we have another tracked machine, a Case IH Quadtrac. The Quadtrac and the wheeled Steiger models are powered by continuously variable transmission, the most robust continuously variable transmission on the tractor market. The vehicle has a horsepower out ranging between 370 and 540.
In addition, the Case IH Quadtrac CVX is the first articulated tracked tractor with CVT. The most powerful Case IH Quadtrac 540 CVX can develop a peak power of 613hp from a 12.9-liter six-cylinder engine with a two-stage turbocharger. This model can also provide a stepless acceleration up to 25 mph and 11 mph in reverse.
3 JCB Fastrac 3230 XTRA
The JCB Fastrac 3230 XTRA is the fastest factory tractor in the world. A vehicle with a top speed of 65 mph is good enough for a track race. Custom tractors, like the one Matt LeBlanc built for one of the Top Gear episodes, can go faster than the 3230 XTRA. The LeBlanc tractor reached a top speed of 87.2 mph.
People who use tractors regularly can be impressed by the 3230 XTRA. 65 mph? That's a Lambo. In addition, the JCB Fastrac is the only tractor in the world built on a chassis with suspension on both axles.
2 Lamborghini 5C Crawler
Few successful car brands have founding histories as curious as Lamborghini. Before he created the maddest supercar brand in the world, Ferruccio Lamborghini was making tractors. He went into supercars after Enzo Ferrari insulted him. However, Lamborghini tractors are still around and are available for sale. One example is this 5C Crawler made in the 1960s.
The Crawler tractor is powered by a 3-cylinder diesel engine that develops 40hp. It doesn't sound like enough power but considering it's not a giant machine, it's impressive. One advantage is that it's one of the few Lamborghini cars that can be driven hard and anywhere you want. And to sweeten the deal, these Crawler tractors are available online and in decent shape for less than $50K.
1 Lamborghini Spark
And, of course, a list of incredible tractors has to end with a Lamborghini Spark because Lamborghini makes some of the coolest cars on the road, so Lambo-badged tractors should be similarly excellent. Spark tractors come with a 4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 3.9 liters that can deliver between 120 and 140 horsepower.
However, Lamborghini Spark tractors have an unmatched design that captures the attention in the field and on the road. In addition to Spark tractors built for work in the open field, Lamborghini Trattori also offers smaller tractors for vineyards and orchards and tracked crawlers that can work on mountain terrain.