In late summer last year, Bosch unveiled its new fifth-generation Performance Line CX motor — at the time without any increase in power, but with significant improvements in terms of sensors, noise and weight. Rumors were already circulating at the time about a possible software update that could unlock more power. And now it’s official: Bosch will be delivering a free update from July that will significantly increase the performance of the popular e-bike motor.
More torque, more power — via app
The update brings plenty of power reserves: instead of the previous 85 Nm and 600 watts, users can now look forward to up to 100 Nm of torque, 750 watts of power and maximum support of up to 400%. This makes the Gen 5 motor a real powerhouse and puts it right back in the range of other top motors in terms of performance — without any hardware swaps. The best thing is that the software upgrade is free of charge and can be installed independently via the eBike Flow app.
More power for trail, city and cargo bikes
The increased performance is primarily aimed at mountain bike use, where you are riding on steep terrain or challenging trails. However, urban e-bikers could also benefit from the update — for example when using cargo bikes or other heavily loaded bikes. For everyday city traffic, however, the additional power is likely to be more of a nice extra than a must.
A note for users of hub gears: The full power increase may not be available on some e-bikes with hub gears. As the design of these gears only allows limited torque absorption, the motor support can remain at the previous level in such cases — to protect the components. Whether the update takes full effect depends on the respective bike and the drive system installed.
New Kiox 400C display: more integration, more convenience
Alongside the motor update, Bosch is also introducing a new display: the Kiox 400C. It replaces the previous system controller and combines the display and control unit in a compact device that is firmly and seamlessly integrated into the top tube. With a brightness of up to 1,000 nits, the color display remains easy to read even in sunlight. It can be controlled either directly via buttons on the device or — even more conveniently – via the familiar remote unit on the handlebars. Another practical innovation: a USB-C port that can be used to charge external devices such as smartphones on the go.
Conclusion
Bosch is consistently pursuing its strategy of continuous further development. The software update for the Performance Line CX Gen5 brings a significant increase in performance and with the new Kiox 400C, Bosch is also rounding off its system visually and functionally. User-friendly, powerful and fully integrated.
