Mahle has started deliveries of its new X20 traction motor for e-bikes.

The company says that, with a system weight of less than 3.2 kg including battery and control unit, the X20 is the lightest e-bike drive on the market.

The X20 drive system is tailored to the design of gravel bikes, road bikes and urban e-bikes. The hub motor delivers 23 Nm of torque directly to the wheel, which Mahle says is comparable to that of a mid-drive motor with 55 Nm of torque.

The system includes a sensor package that measures acceleration, speed, torque, temperature and pedalling rate, and uses AI to continuously adapt the drive to the rider.