Press releases | 03/18/2016 XPower® wheel loaders receive iF Design Award 2016

  • New large wheel loader generation XPower® receives renowned design award
  • Developing the design, the focus was on functionality and user friendliness

Thanks to sophisticated design solutions, the new XPower® large wheel loaders from Liebherr have received an iF Design Award 2016. Representatives of the Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen had the pleasure to receive the award personally in Munich on 26 February. They are among the winners of the renowned iF label. The international high-profile jury assessed more than 5,000 entries from 53 countries in order to determine who would receive this coveted seal of excellence.

For over 60 years, the iF Design Award has been recognized the world over as a label of design excellence. The iF Design Award is one of the worldwide leading design awards.

Sophisticated design solutions characterise XPower® wheel loaders

XPower® wheel loaders differ from conventional wheel loaders not only in their use of innovative technology but also in their design. Whilst design development focused on functionality and user friendliness in particular, attention was also paid to the look of the machine. The silhouette is compact and even when not in use these machines create a dynamic and powerful impression.

The XPower® wheel loaders have modern design elements throughout, from the lift arm to the comfort cabin and rear section with the latter characterised by striking lines. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, this has important functional advantages. The tapered engine hood gives the driver excellent visibility towards the rear of the machine and increases safety immediately around it. Heavy components including the motor are installed right at the back of the machine’s rear section, removing the need for additional counterweight. This ideal weight distribution results in high tipping loads and greater handling capacity per hour of operation.

The XPower’s radiator is located directly behind the operator's cab in what is the cleanest area of a wheel loader. In this position, the cooling system can aspirate air with a low dust content, which ensures consistent and reliable cooling performance. This intelligent design solution reduces maintenance and increases machine availability.

Built into the XPower® are sophisticated design details that make service work easier for the machine operator without detracting from the machine’s overall appearance. The engine hood opens backwards, which provides free access to the engine for all maintenance work. A platform for comfortable and safe working is integrated into the opened hood. The most important maintenance areas are close to the cab and can therefore be more easily controlled. The fuel and urea tank are combined in one location, which makes refuelling easier and a treading surface at the cab facilitates safe cleaning of the windscreen and is also used to hold the driver's door in position.

XPower® as holistic concept for large wheel loaders L 550 to L 586

XPower® is the innovative machine concept for the new generation of large Liebherr wheel loaders L 550 to L 586. At Liebherr's research and development department at its Bischofshofen plant, fuel efficiency, performance, robust design and comfort were the main objectives in the development of the new wheel loader generation. Core of the XPower® wheel loaders is the rugged Stage IV/ Tier 4f power-split XPower® driveline concept. It brings together the hydrostatic drive for short loading cycles and the mechanic drive for long distances and for driving uphill. The combination of both drives in one wheel loader offers maximum efficiency at every application.