In late summer 2025, Mahle presented a revised version of its X20 rear wheel hub drive. The motor was given more power and the system became compatible with UDH derailleur hangers. In itself, this was good news. However, those who already rode an ebike with this electric drive could only smile bittersweetly. Until now, they had been excluded from this innovation. After all, only newly delivered ebikes came with the more powerful upgrade. Now Mahle has updated the firmware for the X20 so that older models with a Mahle X20 can also benefit from the performance boost.
A noticeable boost of ten per cent and more
April showers bring May flowers. And the start of 2026 brings speed. That could be the motto for those who have been waiting around four months for the firmware update for the Mahle X20. But with the download of the new software, ebikes manufactured before September 2025 now also promise higher torque and more power.
To explain, let’s take a quick look back. At the beginning of September 2025, Mahle’s state-of-the-art rear wheel motor received a significant upgrade. The manufacturer increased the torque for the system from 55 Newton metres to 65 Newton metres. With an 18 per cent increase in responsiveness, you gain significantly more momentum when riding, especially when it comes to short sprints and accelerating uphill. In addition, the peak power output increased by ten percent from 250 watts to 275 watts. This should ensure more consistent power delivery in the lower range and noticeably improve the punch when battling particularly steep uphill sections and strong headwinds. The further developments have an even greater impact on the riding experience, as the weight and volume of the motor remain unchanged.
As mentioned, all newly produced ebikes with X20 have been delivered from the factory with the upgrade for a few months now. According to Mahle, it had postponed the release of the firmware update until the end of 2025 in order to allow sufficient time for thorough testing.
How to install the new firmware for the Mahle X20
Before starting the download, ensure that the battery of the ebike in question is as fully charged as possible. Also check that the latest version of the My SmartBike app is installed on your smartphone. Then all you need is a stable internet connection and you can transfer the update to your ebike. To do this, keep your smartphone close to the bike.
Step-by-step installation instructions
- Open the My SmartBike app
- Connect the app to the ebike featuring Mahle X20
- Open the ‘E-bike options’ menu in the app and press ‘Check for firmware update’
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen
- Accept the terms and conditions and start the update
If you have not yet updated to earlier firmware versions, the system may ask you to visit a Mahle dealer. In this case, the dealer will install the necessary update for X Active Charger. Before you visit a dealer, download all the preparatory updates.
Ideally, the new firmware will be running on your ebike within a few minutes. However, there is one thing it will not be able to do. This concerns compatibility with the Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) standard. This third key aspect of the Mahle X20 redesign requires the appropriate hardware. And this is something that older versions of the e-drive lack. This means that the interaction between the ebike system and the derailleur system remains unchanged.
The current Mahle X20 with all its features is installed, for example, by the French manufacturer Adris. This brand from Brittany, which is probably only known to a few of you, has launched both an e-road bike, the Adris E-Endurance, and an e-gravel bike, the Adris E-Aventure, based on this system.
Batteries, chargers, control untis and displays for the Mahle X20 e-drive
Pictures: Mahle Smartbike System; Adrisport SAS