How is this even possible? No way. The moment we laid eyes on the first prototype with the new maxon AIR S motor, we were instantly puzzled. “What’s that? That doesn’t even look like a full-power eMTB! It looks just like one of your previous bikes with a light-support motor”.
With a sly smile and a touch of pride, Volker Stützinger, head of eBike at maxon, contradicts us – and even takes it one step further: “No, this bike is equipped with our new full-power motor. And compared to our previous light-assistance motor, we’ve actually created even more space, giving bike manufacturers more freedom and flexibility with frame designs!”
Exciting? Absolutely! With the new maxon AIR S motor, the Swiss tech manufacturer aims not only to challenge the dominance of light and mid-power drive systems from brands like FAZUA, TQ, and Bosch, but also to spark fresh momentum in the full-power segment. But let’s take it from the top.
From cowbells to Mars rovers – high tech meets Swiss alpine idyll
Moooo. Clank, clank. Cows graze peacefully by the roadside as the Sarnersee lake stretches out in quiet serenity beneath a brooding alpine skyline veiled in mist. From our hotel in the sleepy village of Sachseln – population 6,000 – it’s barely a five-minute drive to the headquarters of Swiss e-drive specialist maxon. With around 1,200 employees on site (and over 3,000 worldwide), the company is the region’s largest employer. As we roll onto the lakeside campus, one thing is immediately clear: this place means business. The bold red maxon logo stands proudly above the reception building, and within minutes, we’re transported into a completely different world. Outside: postcard-perfect Swiss countryside. Inside: cutting-edge motors built for NASA’s Mars rover, Formula 1 cars, humanoid robots, and even people – in the form of insulin pumps. And now? They’re headed for the next generation of eMTBs.
The anticipation is building – and so are the expectations. In the run-up, only sparse details emerged about maxon’s new motor system, developed by more than 200 specialists across a wide range of disciplines. All the more reason to be excited about what awaits us: we’re the first magazine worldwide to receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access – not to some polished showroom, but straight into the heart of development. On the agenda: insights into the different business units with CTO Stefan Müller, a technical deep dive into the new drive unit with Dominik Stockmann and Stefan Imfeld, and a visit to the in-house test labs – from long-term durability checks to climate chambers, vibration tables, and efficiency and de-rating tests at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences. And then? Out onto the trail: a first ride on prototype bikes, joined by Head of eBike Volker Stützinger and Marketing Manager Michel Riedmann. Honest, direct, and hands-on – just the way we like it.
How do you make the invisible visible?
For the core of the eMTB scene, maxon is of course a familiar name – after all, the Swiss company launched its first eMTB drive system back in 2021. Slim, minimalist, and virtually invisible, it was built into lightweight eMTBs weighing around 17 kg. Equipped with a small battery, the maxon BIKEDRIVE AIR system initially delivered 30 Nm of torque, later increased to 40 Nm, with peak power rising from 220 W to 250 W. It was firmly positioned in the light-assistance niche – and primarily adopted by Swiss bike manufacturers. And while other motor brands proudly displayed logos on their visibly integrated drive units, maxon took a different approach: no logo at all! In fact, nothing indicates that you were even looking at an eMTB!
maxon gained international visibility not least through its title sponsorship of the Swiss cross-country World Cup team led by Ralph Näf. The goal: to give visibility to their otherwise invisible motors – much like their high-profile Mars rover campaigns. At the same time, the sponsorship reflects the deep-rooted bike passion that runs through the entire company – from management to the production floor. And let’s be honest: if you work in the Swiss Alps, it’s almost impossible not to get into bikes.
From electric shavers to space – and now to the trails: maxon’s roots
For over 60 years, maxon has been a hidden champion – rooted in precision engineering, driven by vision. The Swiss company employs over 3,000 people worldwide, runs eight production sites, and operates sales offices in 40 countries. What makes it stand out: maxon has focused exclusively on electric drive systems – with outstanding success.
The foundation for maxon’s success was laid with an electric Braun shaver, for which the company developed its own ironless DC motor. At the time, it achieved twice the efficiency of conventional electric machines – a trait that remains a hallmark of maxon motors to this day. Today, the company offers a several-hundred-page catalog of drive systems for a wide range of applications.
Four worlds, one drive system expertise – the maxon Business Units
CTO and bike enthusiast Stefan Müller walks us through maxon’s four core business areas: In medical technology, maxon motors deliver precise, reliable motion – from insulin pumps to surgical robots. In the industrial sector, they enable automation and power robotic applications – according to maxon, the Swiss team managed to double the endurance of a quadruped walking robot solely by optimizing the gearbox, motor, and electronics. In aerospace, even NASA missions rely on their reliability. And with the Mobility Solutions business unit, maxon drive systems can be found in cars, race vehicles, autonomous submarines – and, of course, in eMTBs. Thanks to interdisciplinary teams, maxon’s e-bike division has reportedly benefited directly from the experience and expertise across all of these units.
Tailored power – a key factor in maxon’s success is its modular system architecture: even for a batch size of one, a suitable drive can be assembled from maxon’s extensive portfolio and, if desired, customized down to the smallest detail. It saves time, boosts efficiency – and makes solid business sense.
maxon also sponsors and collaborates with institutions like ETH Zurich and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences to advance student research and attract the next generation of innovators. In Lucerne, for example, maxon operates a dedicated test bench for eMTB motors.
What would your dream eMTB motor look like?
In today’s arms race for ever-higher wattage and torque figures, maxon is deliberately charting a different course. The Swiss team set out to develop a full-power motor that shares the dimensions of their existing light-support unit – preserving the elegance and visual appeal of the bikes already powered by maxon.
Rather than chasing headline numbers, the AIR S represents a new kind of balance: between power, efficiency, and seamless integration. Because what’s the point of peak performance if it’s rarely used – and if it comes at the cost of refined design?
maxon is thinking beyond the binary: ultra-quiet, ultra-light, capable – and so cleverly integrated that the drive system practically disappears. It’s a breath of fresh air in a market that has often been stuck in black-and-white categories.
Another key priority for maxon was ensuring that the motor’s slim design and performance specs – in terms of both weight and output – make it suitable for use across all bike categories. For many manufacturers, a motor becomes even more appealing when it can be deployed across road, gravel, and mountain bikes alike: higher volumes, less service effort, and reduced complexity.
Sure – DJI, Bosch, Mahle, and Specialized may have more power on paper, but none offer integration as refined as this. And while DJI’s Avinox motor pushes the limits of performance, weight, and integration, maxon is focused on striking a more meaningful balance: sensible power, outstanding integration, and impressively low weight. At the same time, they’re aiming to steal the spotlight from today’s established light- and mid-power players like FAZUA and TQ. Light or powerful? In Sachseln, the new AIR S motor generation makes one thing clear: you can have both.
The golden mean? Motor, remote, display, and battery of the new maxon AIR S eMTB drive system
S – a single letter that makes a big difference: nearly identical dimensions, twice the power, twice the torque, all while maintaining the same system weight. Achieving that within a single product generation is a bold statement. And the hard numbers back it up: 90 Nm of torque, 620 W peak power, and a support ratio of up to 400% at just 2 kg – the spec sheet of the new maxon BIKEDRIVE AIR S is certainly impressive at first glance..
On paper, the performance may not sound revolutionary, but the aim here is balance – tuned to the real-world needs of most eMTB riders. A shift in thinking is already underway, as the industry begins to move away from chasing superlatives and toward a more thoughtful, measured approach. This is reflected in the ongoing discussion around voluntary self-regulation – something we at E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine fully support. The current arms race only leads to faster wear, higher battery consumption, reduced range, and bulkier, heavier bikes. It also fails to reflect how most riders actually use their bikes – something clearly confirmed by our reader survey with over 15,000 participants.
According to maxon, the motor has been optimized for efficiency across a broad cadence and power range. It’s designed to reach peak output only at high pedaling cadences of 120–130 rpm, with a performance curve that ramps up progressively. It reportedly surpasses the 500 W mark as early as 75 rpm, making it noticeably more responsive than other light- and mid-support motors on the market. With a support ratio of 400%, a rider input of 100 W delivers 400 W of assistance – allowing even casual riders to cruise up climbs with ease.
Another key claim from maxon is thermal stability and high efficiency, which should reduce battery consumption – and with it, the need for oversized battery packs.
Whether it delivers on that promise? We’ll let you know as soon as we get our hands on a production-ready test bike.
There are currently two available battery options: a 400 Wh main battery (1.8 kg) and a 250 Wh range extender (1.6 kg). A larger 600 Wh main battery (2.8 kg) is currently in development.
At launch this autumn, the AIR S will feature the same minimalist HMI controller unit integrated into the top tube as seen on the current maxon AIR motor. A dedicated top tube display is already in development. For the remote, maxon is sticking with the high-quality, minimalist ring-style unit from the previous system. The company will also offer two chargers – a compact 2 A version and a faster 6 A model.
Of course, there’s also a maxon app – BIKEDRIVE Connect – which is mainly used to display ride data and adjust support levels. The maxon Dealer App (BIKEDRIVE Service) allows specialist retailers to make further motor adjustments. We’ll go into more detail on that at a later stage, once we’ve had a chance to properly test the system.
We’ve already taken the motor for a spin and explored the stunning surroundings – river crossing included – but the battery and software weren’t final yet, so it wouldn’t make sense to draw any firm conclusions. The only thing we can say for now: the motor is extremely quiet – in most frequency ranges, the sound of the tires rolling is noticeably louder!
Swiss precision meets passion – what sets maxon apart from the competition?
Switzerland is known for its obsession for precision and perfectionism – not just in watchmaking, but in nearly every aspect of life. But that doesn’t mean the Swiss can’t move fast. One of the common challenges in the motor industry is slow development cycles, scattered production sites, and endless loops where lots of work gets done, but little progress is made.
Not so at maxon. With prototyping, manufacturing, testing labs, and key expertise all concentrated at the company’s headquarters, maxon’s e-bike division has serious momentum. Fast iterations, parallel development, and a team of passionate testers mean new ideas or variants can be built and tested within hours or days. Even CTO Stefan Müller puts in countless hours on prototype bikes – outside regular working hours and on the weekends.
And that dedication and passion come through clearly in conversation – maxon isn’t in the e-bike segment because they have to be, but because they genuinely want to be. That gives the company a longer-term perspective than some automotive suppliers who entered the e-bike market purely on the back of promising forecasts.
In today’s market, it’s more important than ever for motor brands to define a clear position, offer compelling USPs, and evolve rapidly to stay ahead – and that goes for maxon too. Like any manufacturer, the Swiss still have some work to do. But with their experience, established processes, and a blend of NASA-grade engineering, genuine bike passion, and pragmatic problem-solving, they’ve got all the right ingredients.
Service is one of the most critical aspects for bike manufacturers and specialist retailers alike. That’s why maxon places a strong focus on it. The company operates a centralized service center closely connected to product management and R&D – allowing it to quickly identify issues and implement improvements where needed
Premiere & Preorder: how the new maxon AIR S enters the market
At EUROBIKE 2025, maxon will lift the curtain: no fewer than six e-enduros featuring the brand-new BIKEDRIVE AIR S will be presented to the public for the first time. The first models are expected to hit the market in autumn 2025 – and for those quick to act, a special pre-order deal offers the chance to secure a bike at an attractive price. We’re also expecting our first test bikes this summer and will keep you updated with first impressions. A highlight for early adopters: at the late-summer test ride event in Lenzerheide, you’ll be able to try out the AIR S for yourself – on some of Switzerland’s finest alpine trails.
Conclusions: maxon AIR S – balance as a superlative
High-tech meets purpose: with the AIR S, maxon delivers more than just a new motor – they deliver a statement. Rather than getting caught up in the numbers game, the Swiss drive specialist puts its trust in precision engineering, seamless integration, and a well-balanced power profile. The AIR S isn’t trying to be the strongest or the most extreme – it’s aiming to be the best solution for the real needs and expectations of modern riders. Whether it succeeds? Our upcoming ride review will tell.
We already got a first look at the new, lightweight full-power e-bikes at 2025 EUROBIKE. You can find the link here!
For more information, visit www.maxonbikedrive.com
Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Lars Engmann
