N+ Offers Two New Volkswagen-Branded E-Bikes, Tern Debuts Gen 3 HSD Cargo Line, CPSC Adds E-Filing Rule for Imports │ TWR Ep 92

N+ has opened preorders on two Volkswagen-branded e-bikes, the Sport and the Crossover. The Sport is a high-step urban commuter, while the Crossover leans more utility with a step-thru frame and an integrated cargo rack (one can also be added to the Sport). Both are optimized for the EU market, but they can be preordered here in the US. This follows N+’s partnerships with Ford and Mercedes on other car-branded e-bikes.

Both models share a 250W Yamaha PW-X3 mid-drive with 85 Nm of torque and six assist levels, plus an automatic mode that adjusts power output based on riding conditions. Other shared specs include a fully integrated, removable 490 Wh battery good for up to 99 miles of range, a 9-speed Shimano CUES drivetrain, Tektro 2-piston hydraulic brakes, a 100mm suspension fork, and a 15.5 mph top speed. Both bikes also get a custom single-piece stem and handlebar with an integrated display, similar to the Mercedes e-bike we tested previously.

One of the standout features is Smart View, a rear-facing radar system that activates a rear-view camera when traffic approaches from behind. The bikes also come with an integrated security system that includes motion detection, an alarm, and Apple Find My compatibility, along with a rear wheel lock and side lighting with a turn signal function.

Optional accessories include a Smart Helmet with front and rear lights that sync to the bike, brake lights, turn signals, and crash detection that can message an emergency contact after an impact. There are also Smart Glasses with a heads-up display for speed, navigation, and radar-activated blind spot alerts. Both bikes can be paired with a rack-mounted range-extender battery. The Sport can be preordered for $4,000, while the Crossover runs $4,350.

Our Take:

The car-branded e-bike trend keeps rolling, and N+ is packing in a genuinely useful feature set here rather than just slapping a logo on a standard commuter. Smart View in particular stands out. A radar-activated rear camera addresses a real safety gap for city riders sharing the road with cars. That said, these bikes are built around EU regulations, so US buyers should go in expecting a 15.5 mph assisted top speed rather than the 20-28 mph most American riders are used to. At this price point, that’s a real tradeoff to weigh.

Tern has launched a third generation of its popular HSD longtail cargo e-bike. The new models are stiffer and more reinforced than their predecessors, with a lower center of gravity. Gross vehicle weight comes in at 419 lbs (190 kg), which covers the bike itself, the rider, and up to 176 lbs of cargo or passengers.

The Gen 3 HSD uses different frame geometry than earlier versions, along with the brand’s adjustable Andros stem and dual-telescoping VLT seatpost, fitting riders from 4’11” to 6’9″. All models are Class 3 e-bikes running Bosch Gen 5 Performance or Performance PX mid-drives, with either 70 or 90 Nm of torque and a 545 Wh battery. They also feature Magura hydraulic disc brakes and Bosch’s eShift wireless electronic shifting, along with Flow app compatibility for assist personalization and security features.

Drivetrain options range from a 10-speed TRP chain drive paired with Bosch eShift up to a 3×3 NINE 9-speed internal gear hub, which delivers a 554% gear range. The bike also stands vertically for easier storage. Pricing spans $5,000 to $7,500 depending on configuration.

Our Take:

Tern’s HSD has long been one of the go-to compact cargo bikes for families who need serious hauling capacity without a full longtail’s footprint, and this update looks like a meaningful refinement rather than a reinvention. The wider rider fit range and the internal gear hub option with a 554% range are the details that matter most here. Cargo bike owners tend to keep their bikes a long time, so a stiffer, lower frame should pay off in everyday stability with a loaded bike. The price jump to $7,500 for the top build is steep, but Bosch’s eShift and a proper internal gear hub aren’t cheap components to begin with.

Importers of e-bikes and other micromobility devices will soon need to submit documentation of compliance with CPSC standards through a new eFiling program. CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman said the agency faces a surge of imported products moving through increasingly complex supply chains, including direct-to-consumer shipments that often bypass traditional retail channels, and that the eFiling system is meant to help the agency identify and stop high-risk shipments earlier.

The goal is better coordination between the CPSC and Customs and Border Protection, allowing both agencies to focus enforcement resources where they matter most. There are still open questions about how this will play out in practice. The current mechanical standard for bicycles and e-bikes, 16 CFR 1512, covers mechanical requirements only and doesn’t address batteries. As we’ve reported before, the CPSC has also floated a proposal that would require e-bikes and similar devices to meet stricter UL battery standards, though it remains to be seen whether that will move forward. In theory, that standard would give brands an easier path to proving compliance.

Our Take:

More scrutiny on where e-bikes and batteries come from is a good thing, especially given how many battery fire stories we’ve covered on this show. But eFiling alone doesn’t close the real gap, since the current mechanical standard still says nothing about batteries. Import paperwork can flag a shipment, but it can’t tell CBP whether the battery inside it is safe. Until the UL battery standard proposal actually gets enacted, this feels like a useful but incomplete step.

Specialized has introduced three EU-market models in its Turbo Vado 3 IGH line: the 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0. Each is built around an Enviolo continuously variable transmission paired with a Gates Carbon belt drive. All three share a Specialized 3.1 mid-drive with 810W of peak power and 105 Nm of torque, an integrated and removable 840 Wh battery, integrated lights, fenders, and a cargo rack, a single-piece stem and handlebar setup with internal wiring, and Apple Find My compatibility.

The 4.0 uses manual shifting, an SR Suntour suspension fork, a suspension seatpost without a dropper, and a stem-integrated display. The 5.0 also uses manual shifting and an SR Suntour fork, but upgrades to a dropper seatpost with suspension, a touchscreen display, and high-end Supernova lighting. The 6.0 tops the range with Enviolo’s Automatiq shifting, a Rockshox Psylo suspension fork, a dropper seatpost with suspension, a large 2.2 inch touchscreen display, an included front rack, a Quadlock mount with wireless charging, keyless anti-theft, and a Garmin Radar. Pricing ranges from 4,999 to 7,900 Euros.

Our Take:

Pairing a CVT with a belt drive is a smart combination for a commuter built around low maintenance, and the tiered feature set gives riders a real reason to step up through the lineup rather than just paying more for the same bike in a different color. The 6.0’s Garmin Radar and Automatiq shifting make it the standout, but the price gap between it and the 4.0 is nearly 3,000 Euros. It’s a shame this lineup is EU-only for now, since a lot of US riders would appreciate a maintenance-light commuter option like this.

• What are some good folding e-bikes for hunters who need to keep gear in the vehicle?
• Does the Monarc Tracer’s tested weight include one battery or two, and how does its ride quality compare to the Aima Santa Monica?
• Why doesn’t the Urtopia Carbon Atom have a rear rack option available at launch?
• How much cargo can the JackRabbit MG Cargo actually carry, and is a side rack kit worth adding?
• Is the JackRabbit MG Cargo really an e-bike, or something else entirely?