WHO ARE MAHLE?
MAHLE SmartBike Systems is an eBike manufacturer based in Palencia, Spain, who forms part of the global MAHLE technology brand. Parent company MAHLE has been innovating in sustainable mobility systems for over 100 years, so it’s safe to say they have an excellent foundation to design and produce eBike drive units.
With a mission statement “To deliver the lightest, most integrated and intelligent systems on the market”, MAHLE SmartBike Systems has been producing drive units featured on e-Road bikes that impressively weigh under 10kg, as well as supplying their smaller, lighter SL (mid-power) drive unit system to one of the largest mountain bike brands in North America.
THE MAHLE M40 DRIVE UNIT
The MAHLE M40 drive unit is their first entry to the full-power eBike market, delivering a competitive 105 Nm max torque and up to 850 W peak power for its 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs) weight. This gives it a 340 W/kg output, which stands up well in the eMTB space.
Power is nothing without control, though, and it’s the control and smart functionality that’s left us the most impressed with the MAHLE M40 drive unit so far.
BATTERY OPTIONS
The MAHLE M40 eBike system runs on a 48 V circuit, with a choice of two battery capacities depending on the preference of range and handling dynamics.
The MAHLE iM5 battery provides a capacity of 534 Wh for its 2.5kg (5.51 lbs) weight, giving an impressive 213.6 Wh/kg – one of the best figures on the market. With this smaller capacity battery, the total eBike system weight is limited to just 5 kg (11.02 lbs), providing a lightweight and agile eMTB with full power.
The larger iM8 battery provides 800 Wh of capacity, which is claimed to deliver up to 150 km (93 miles) range or 2,500 m (8,202 ft) of vertical ascent. At 3.77 kg (8.31 lbs), this battery delivers a still-impressive 212.2 Wh/kg energy density.
With the same width and height, the batteries are interchangeable, giving riders the ability to modify their preference of handling and range.
With the CAN-BUS system giving smart battery capabilities, they can supply up to 70W to accessories and provide intelligent energy management and charging.
MAHLE has not ruled out the delivery of a dedicated range extender, which will boost the capacity of the system to sustain the most adventurous rides, however a timeline for that was not specified.
SMART
MAHLE leverages their technical expertise to deliver an intelligent eBike system that’s packed with features to enhance the user experience. With high-resolution torque and speed sensors, the MAHLE M40 drive unit has impressive sensitivity, reacting quickly to pedaling input to deliver the desired output. The brains of the M40 system have dynamic control logic, fine tuning the motor output to anticipate the rider’s next move.
The speed sensor is an element MAHLE are particularly proud of, which can detect speed variations with a 3cm resolution to give a near-instantaneous reaction to the terrain combined with the rider cadence and torque. With these high resolution sensors feeding information to the system’s computer, it is able to deliver excellent reactivity and control.
RIDE FEATURES
The MAHLE M40 has dynamic overrun, tuning the amount of overrun when the rider stops pedaling to deliver the push to get over or through the obstacles on the climb without the bike running away.
The Auto Hold functionality keeps the bike secure in place on steep inclines, making it easier for the rider to get their balance and restart the climb safely and easily.
The MAHLE Smart Assist can tune the power delivery automatically, giving an autonomous ride experience that delivers solid range while still accessing the power when required.
MAHLE developed their Traction Control system to enhance the user’s ability to climb loose, technical terrain, and it has been our favorite element of the M40 system so far. Using those high-resolution speed, torque and cadence sensors, the power is adjusted with impressive reactivity to maintain flow and control in low-traction scenarios.
AUXILLARIES
Head Unit +
MAHLE’s Head Unit + is a sleek eBike display, providing a 1.9” color screen with multiple mounting options to suit different bikes. The display can be customized to display the elements the rider considers most valuable for their ride experience.
Trio Remote
The MAHLE Trio Remote is a three-button wireless remote which is mounted to the handlebars. With a sleek design and solid ergonomics, it was intuitive to use from the get-go, requiring no adjustment period.
MAHLE DASHBOARD
The MAHLE Dashboard software allows riders to plug their M40 system into a computer to get a deep dive into the ride data and access advanced functionality. The Dashboard allows for ride planning, with optimization in real time to tailor the route.
THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSION
Over the course of my day filming, tuning and learning, I walked away impressed. Learning about the brand’s ethos, values and desire to give customers control of their ride while also offering some of the best applications of tech I’ve ridden in eMTB make me really excited to get this unit on a long term test bike. The traction control absolutely stood out in the way it detuned motor power to allow me to keep climbing until traction returned before quickly ramping power back up to help me clean some truly heinous climb challenges.
Another feature that’s not uncommon, but is possibly the best and easiest to use is MAHLE’s Auto Hold. There is no need to press buttons, activate modes or do a secret handshake. Simply apply pressure to the pedal when you come to a stop and the system will hold you for 60 seconds. Even cooler, those first pedal strokes after Auto Hold being engaged will offer some modified assistance to help you get rolling better on your way to the top.
I also enjoyed the simplicity and ease of reading data from the top tube display screen. I loved watching human and machine numbers and how they worked together to tackle everything from the steepest pitches to mellower fire road climbs.
Overall, the MAHLE M40 system stands out in today’s race for more power and higher numbers. Here at The Loam Wolf we’re big fans of usable and quality power that allow us to tackle the types of climbs we enjoy, which are usually steep, technical and consequential. This drive unit kind of blew my mind by allowing be to scramble up stuff I didn’t really think I could ride up. The battery efficiency seems solid, it’s intuitive even for a non-tech nerd like myself and is quiet, both up and down. I’m excited for the rest of the team to get some time aboard a bike equipped with the M40 as soon as possible.
