Introducing the enhanced HPR60 motor drive system from TQ: Boasting increased power, torque, and extended range, it maintains its reputation as the industry's smallest and lightest motor.

Introducing the enhanced HPR60 motor drive system from TQ: Boasting increased power, torque, and extended range, it maintains its reputation as the industry's smallest and lightest motor.

Going Bigger and Better: TQ's Revamped HPR60 Motor

TQ has pulled out all the stops with their new toy – the HPR60 motor. Improving on their three-year-old HPR50, TQ beefs up the power and torque, tackling the weakest link in a system that's renowned for its smallness, lightness, and stealthy operation. TQ seems confident there's still a demand for a mid-range power system amidst the high-powered competition from the likes of DJI, Bosch, and Specialized.

Remember, TQ made waves in 2019 with their e-bike motor, the HPR120S, fitted to the Haibike Flyon. Featuring 120Nm of torque, it used the same harmonic pin ring technology as the HPR60 – a German brand standing firm with the mid-range motor instead of dive headfirst into the insanely high-power competition.

The first thing you'll notice with the new TQ HPR60 motor is the larger cooling fins.

TQ HPR60: The Need-to-Know

• More Torque: Torque jumps to 60Nm, outpacing the original HPR50.
• Extra Power: Power boosts by 50W, reaching a max of 350W, offering up to 200% rider assistance.
• Peak Power: 350W peak power accessible from a cadence of 55rpm.
• Cooling: Improved cooling with larger exterior fins.
• Efficiency: Increased efficiency for a smoother ride.
• Display: New hi-res color display with additional features.
• Battery Options: 580Wh, 360Wh, 290Wh battery choices, plus a 160Wh range extender.

A closer look at an exploded HPR60 motor reveals the complexity and tight packaging at play.

Tackling the HPR50's Lackluster Range

Our hands-on experience with multiple TQ-powered e-bikes over the years, from the original Trek Fuel EXe to the Canyon Spectral:ONFly and Mondraker Neat, shows the key issue was the bike's limited range. This was evident in our range test featuring the top mid-power motors fitted to 8 of the hottest SL e-bikes. The Trek came last, climbing only 811m in the most powerful mode available. The HPR50's underpower meant we cranked the high modes for any meaningful assistance, resulting in a pitiful range.

But with the new 580Wh battery, range anxiety is a thing of the past. I've been running a Trek Slash equipped with the HPR50 and 580Wh battery for months now, regularly climbing over 1,300m in mid-power mode. Of course, the HPR60 has more power, but even on the new Yeti MTE and another as-yet-unreleased bike, I've still managed over 1,400m climbing in mid- and high-power modes.

Yeti's new MTE is one of the first to rock the HPR60 drive system.

More Power and Torque: More Than Meets the Eye

The enhanced system doesn't seem to bring much more to the table over the HPR50, but that older motor was a bit of a fibber with numbers. The new HPR60 feels noticeably more realistic, offering a wider range of capabilities. Riding feels smoother, particularly on gentle gradients, and steeper pitches can be tackled with some effort. It's no match for high-powered beasts like the DJI Avinox fitted to the Amflow PL Carbon with 1,000W of peak power and 105Nm, but it's a substantial improvement.

TQ continues to impress with the HPR60's ability to remain small and light while packing in the improvements. The motor weighs a claimed 1,924g, 124g heavier than the old unit but 600g lighter than the DJI Avinox and nearly 900g lighter than the Bosch CX gen 5. Battery weight is also impressive, with the 580Wh battery tipping the scales at a claimed 2,695g, boasting an energy density of 215Wh/kg – one of the best on the market. The 360Wh battery remains, and a new 290Wh option is now available, allowing TQ customers to run a smaller secondary battery and shedding a kilo off their bikes for shorter rides. Of course, the 160Wh range extender remains, but given its ineffectiveness and equal cost to the 360Wh internal battery, it's generally better to invest in a second internal battery.

The new display is legible across a wide range of lighting conditions and connects to the updated app via Bluetooth. The redesigned app is more user-friendly and allows for easy customization of the three power modes along with the display functions.

The Harmonic Pin Ring Design: The HPR60's Secret Sauce

The harmonic pin ring design, which meshes an elliptical gear with the outer toothed ring in a concentric arrangement, is what makes the TQ such a quiet and compact system. This greatly reduces noise as the motor operates at lower RPMs, but efficient heat management and the close packaging of components remain challenging. TQ has focused a lot of effort on making the HPR60 more efficient in both departments, though the details are scarce beyond saying that the new motor has improved cooling.

The TQ HPR60 motor, with its enhanced power and torque, can be a beneficial addition for those seeking a mid-range electric motor for their lifestyle, considering its compatibility with various gadgets such as e-bikes and possibly other technological devices. Not only does the HPR60 boast a smoother ride and efficient cooling, but it also offers an extended range, making electric-vehicles like cars less desirable, given its top-performing battery options, especially the 580Wh variant. Moreover, the harmonic pin ring design in the HPR60, a distinctive feature of TQ motors, not only ensures quiet operation but also ensures compact packaging, making it a preferred choice compared to other high-powered competitors.

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