Tom Key 
Explore the Porsche e-Mountain Bike
There was a time when the biggest clash between cars and bikes was over who had the right to a slice of asphalt. Now, automakers aren’t just sharing the road—they’re invading the trails. And leading that charge, with the same precision that made the 911 a masterpiece of oversteer, is Porsche.
The German automaker, already deep into the eMTB game with its existing lineup, is now doubling down. Not content with merely slapping its crest on a carbon frame, Porsche has decided to build its own electric motor system. And when Porsche decides to engineer something, history suggests it’s worth paying attention.
But they’re not alone. Ford rolled out an eMTB alongside the Bronco, Polestar’s getting into the mix with a gorgeous high-design Swedish entry, and even McLaren—because why not—has thrown its hat into the ring. Suddenly, the eMTB market is starting to feel like an F1 paddock.
Porsche’s Current eMTBs: High-End, High-Performance, High Price
Let’s start with what Porsche already has on the market: the eBike Sport and eBike Cross. These aren’t your typical “rebranded” bikes, where a car company licenses its name and lets a third party do the heavy lifting. Instead, Porsche partnered with high-end German bike builder Rotwild to create machines that embody the brand’s design and performance ethos.
- The eBike Sport: A sleek, full-suspension machine designed for urban and light off-road riding. It features a Shimano EP-801 motor, carbon frame, and an aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place parked next to a Taycan.
- The eBike Cross: A burlier option with Fox suspension, knobbier tires, and more aggressive geometry, built for actual trail riding—though the $11,750 price tag makes me think it’ll see more garages than singletrack.
These bikes are fast, beautiful, and outrageously expensive. They cater to the same clientele who option carbon-ceramic brakes on their Cayennes—not because they need them, but because they can.
Porsche’s Future: Building Their Own eMTB Engine
But Porsche doesn’t just want to sell high-end eMTBs—they want to build them from the inside out. Enter Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, a new division tasked with developing an entirely in-house electric drive system.
The goal? Ditching third-party motors (like Shimano’s EP series) in favor of Porsche’s proprietary unit, designed to deliver the kind of performance they believe an eMTB should have. The system, which won’t debut until 2026, aims to set a new benchmark in power delivery, efficiency, and integration.
Think of it like Porsche’s work in EVs: they didn’t just take an off-the-shelf solution; they engineered the Taycan to drive like a Porsche. Now, they want to do the same for eMTBs.
If they pull it off, expect a level of refinement and performance that could shake up the market. If they don’t? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time Porsche built something breathtakingly ambitious that required a certain level of skill (and wallet) to truly appreciate.
The Auto Industry’s eMTB Gold Rush
Porsche isn’t the only one making moves. Automakers are looking at eMTBs as an extension of their brand experience—something to throw on the roof rack of an SUV and sell alongside their vehicles.
Ford’s Bronco eMTB
Because nothing says “overlanding aesthetic” like a matching bike, Ford launched an eMTB to go with the new Bronco. Built in partnership with N+, the Bronco eMTB is a fat-tire, high-torque rig designed for adventure riding. More utility-focused than Porsche’s sleek machines, it’s aimed at the truck and off-road crowd.
Polestar & Allebike Elize
Polestar, Volvo’s electric performance offshoot, took a different route. They partnered with boutique Swedish bike brand Allebike to create the Elize Polestar Engineered—a lightweight, carbon eMTB with clean Scandinavian design and a more trail-oriented feel. Less brute force, more elegance.
McLaren & Jeep
Jeep has an eMTB, though it’s more of a beast-mode, go-anywhere tank made by Quietkat with an oversized Bafang motor. And then there’s McLaren, a brand known for supercars and hypercars, which recently launched its own eMTB project. Because apparently, if you build fast things on four wheels, you might as well try two.
The Big Question: Are Car Companies Good for Bikes?
This whole trend raises an interesting debate: do automotive brands belong in the mountain biking world?
On one hand, these companies bring top-tier engineering, deep pockets, and a focus on performance that could push eMTB technology forward in a way traditional bike brands can’t.
On the other, there’s a lingering suspicion that some of these efforts are more about branding than substance—expensive toys for well-heeled enthusiasts rather than genuine contributions to the sport.
For Porsche, though, the ambition seems real. They’re not just licensing a name; they’re investing in R&D, developing proprietary tech, and aiming to redefine what an eMTB can be. That kind of commitment might just be enough to convert even the most skeptical riders.
The Future of eMTBs: Where Does This All Lead?
Porsche’s push into eMTBs is a sign of things to come. As automakers see electric bikes as both an extension of their brand and a legitimate business opportunity, expect more brands to jump in.
But for riders, the real question is whether these bikes will truly advance the sport—or just flood the market with overpriced status symbols.
If Porsche’s new motor system delivers, it could be a game-changer. If not? Well, at least we’ll have some very pretty bikes to look at.
