Bosch Performance Upgrade 2.0: More power for CX and CX-R motors - and much more!

Conclusion of the BIKE editorial team

Market leader Bosch cannot escape the power arms race and is making its e-MTB motors more powerful. However, the Swabians are still a long way from the overpower of an Avinox. More decisive are features such as the overdue quick charger and connectivity to Garmin. Bosch is also continuing to hone its speciality - riding dynamics and modulation. All in all, a successful and multi-layered update for the current generation of motors. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Test Editor BIKE Magazine

It's the next chapter in the arms race for more powerful e-bike motors: German specialist Bosch eBike Systems has announced an extensive update for its Performance motors. The two e-MTB drives Performance CX and CX-R take centre stage. The Performance Upgrade 2.0 is designed to give sporty e-mountainbike riders more control and power in technically demanding situations and is available free of charge via the eBike Flow app. It will be available to everyone from 4 May.

A déjaa vu? Almost! Almost exactly one year ago, just in time for the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda, the the first power update for the Bosch motor. At that time, the maximum torque was increased to 100 Nm and the peak power to 750 watts. Last year, the Bosch update was preceded by the establishment of the super-powerful Avinox M1. And this year, too, the topic of power was right at the top of the news pages: With 1500 watts and 150 Nm, the Avinox M2S entered a new performance dimension.

120 Nm & 600 per cent support in key situations

The central innovation of the Bosch update 2.0 is the option to increase both the torque and the maximum support factor. The affected motors Performance Line CX and Performance Line CX-R can be configured to up to 120 Nm torque in future - still based on the previous standard setting of 85 Nm. This means that the extra boost must be actively applied in the app. This is also due to the fact that Bosch only considers the massive power to be useful for a few riders and situations.

The maximum support can also be increased to up to 600 per cent. Previously, the maximum was 400 per cent. However, this 600 per cent only applies up to a speed of 15 km/h and in special riding modes such as Race, Turbo, eMTB+, Cargo and Auto. The 750 watt peak power of the Performance CX and CX-R remains untouched.

Intelligent dosing instead of clumsy continuous load

The technical implementation of the increased torque is interesting: the 120 Newton metres are not permanently available, but are only provided by the driving software depending on the situation. The system recognises demanding driving situations - such as steep root carpets, steps or ramps - and only activates the additional power at these moments when the driver really needs it.

To do this, the software analyses the rider's own power and input data in detail. If you apply more pedal power in the short term, you receive the corresponding power boost. This is a similar logic to the power control of the Bosch Performance SX light motor. The 120 Nm algorithm reacts primarily to peaks in rider torque and less to high cadences. In constant control mode, the system releases a maximum of 100 Nm, thus reducing the assistance to an efficient level. This is intended to prevent unnecessary power output from draining the battery too quickly and also to protect the drivetrain. This is because, according to the developers' analyses, the torque peaks at which the 120 Nm are released only occur in situations where there is no shifting.

All Bosch news at a glance

• Performance Upgrade 2.0: up to 120 Nm and 600 % support - from 4 May
• Extended Boost can be customised - from 4 May
• Open interface and Garmin compatibility - timing dependent on Garmin and Co.
• Drivetrain Tensioner for more direct traction - from mid-2026
• Fast charger with 12 amps - from the end of 2026
• Trick-Check Wheelie feature - now available

Extended Boost: Superpower now adjustable

Bosch still has an outstanding feature on board with the Extended Boost. This situationally controlled coasting is still the benchmark and turns the Performance CX into an uphill artist: the basic principle: the software automatically recognises how the rider is acting and adjusts the motor's coasting accordingly. Powerful and lively after a clear pedalling impulse or imperceptibly smooth during normal pedalling. With the latest software update, this extended boost is now individually adjustable. This allows sporty riders to customise their setup to suit their own preferences.

Direct traction thanks to Drivetrain Tensioner

Bosch calls another new function the "Drivetrain Tensioner". This software adjustment is intended to ensure an even more direct response and maximum control in technical riding situations. To achieve this, the freewheel between the motor and rear wheel is supposed to pre-tension itself to a certain extent when rolling. This reduces the idle travel on the pedal to a minimum and eliminates the usual delay when pedalling.

As a result, traction should be achieved earlier and the rider's input should be converted into propulsion even more directly and precisely. Bosch promises advantages and even more control, especially in demanding sections. The function should also protect the freewheel and thus extend its service life. This sounds particularly sensible in combination with the increased torque. However, this feature will only be available as an update from the middle of the year.

Trick Check: Automatic skill tracking

Another new feature is the "Trick Check" function, which will be available on selected Bosch displays (Kiox 300, 400C, 500 and Purion 200 and 400). The system automatically recognises and measures various tricks and trail skills while riding. Manuals, wheelies, jumps and stoppies are recognised, measured and shown directly on the display. After the tour, all the information can be read out again in the app.

12A Charger: Fast charging thanks to GaN technology

Alongside the software update, Bosch is also announcing a new charger - although customers will have to wait a little longer for this. The 12A charger is designed to charge up to three times faster than previous models - this is made possible by so-called GaN technology (gallium nitride). This modern semiconductor technology generates significantly less waste heat than conventional semiconductors, which enables more efficient heat management. Despite the high performance, the charger remains compact and backpack-compatible, weighing less than one kilogramme.

The 12A charger is compatible with all Bosch batteries in the "smart system" and should be available from the end of 2026. A price has not yet been communicated.

Open interfaces

Another highlight that many e-bikers have been waiting for: In future, Bosch will offer an open interface for data exchange with third-party manufacturers. This is called the Live Data Interface in the Bosch cosmos. In future, bike computers such as Garmin will be able to access data from the Bosch system. This means that a lot of information can also be displayed on external bike computers, smartwatches or glasses. Of course, this requires the corresponding implementation in the provider's software. The function should soon be available for the first Garmin devices.

Availability and restrictions

There is one important restriction for the Bosch software update: The maximum setting values for torque and support can be limited by the respective bike manufacturer. Whether and to what extent the full 120 Nm or 600 per cent assistance is available therefore depends on the bike manufacturer's approval.

In terms of timing, Bosch is taking a multi-stage approach. The first software update will be available from 4 May and can be installed free of charge via the eBike Flow app. It is only available for the Performance Line CX and Performance Line CX-R - other Bosch motor lines are excluded.