Foil Drive - INTRODUCING THE NEW Gen2.5 ASSIST MAX+

Scroll below to see the details and specs of the new system.

INTRODUCING THE NEW Gen2.5 ASSIST MAX+

• Gen2.5 Architecture
• 20% More Power & Thrust than the MAX
• 2 Battery Options with longer runtime
• “Mini Fusion” in the form factor of a MAX

The new Gen 2.5 MAX+ takes everything riders loved about the MAX and combines it with the latest technology developed for the Fusion — delivering more power, longer runtime and greater versatility without sacrificing the lightweight feel of an Assist system.

With a new 43V electrical architecture, the MAX+ delivers up to 20% more power and thrust than the previous MAX, providing stronger acceleration and easier take-offs. The new smart battery system, improved waterproofing, faster charging and simplified installation make Gen 2.5 more powerful, reliable and user-friendly than ever.

The new FM+ battery platform also introduces a smarter, cross-compatible battery ecosystem.
The FM+650 can be used with both the MAX+ and Fusion, allowing riders to change systems and battery sizes as their riding evolves.

The MAX+ sits perfectly between the lightweight agility of the Assist range and the power of the Fusion — making it the new all-rounder for foil assist, wing, prone, surf and e-foil riding.

More power. More runtime. More versatility. Same lightweight Foil Drive feel.

The key takeaway is that MAX+ is essentially the new sweet-spot system, while Fusion is now the high-power option.

The important numbers

*Foil Drive's indicative figures are based on an 85 kg intermediate rider,:
800–1000 cm² foil,
5'0"/40 L board
and <5 kt wind.

What this means in practice

🥇 MAX+ + FM+650 — probably the best all-round setup
For most foil-assist riders, this looks like the standout combination.
You get:

• 1850 W available power
• 35.5 kg maximum thrust
• 648 Wh battery
• roughly 45–65 min indicative runtime
• 6.71 kg installed
• 43 V Gen 2.5 electronics
• much better voltage retention
• smart BMS
• faster 12 A charging
• removable/replaceable battery
• substantially more power than the old MAX

The interesting thing is that MAX+ FM+650 is only about 1.4 kg heavier than the MAX Gen 2 Sport, but has dramatically more battery and power.

Fusion vs MAX+    This is where the decision gets interesting.

Fusion
The Fusion is the choice if your priority is:
POWER → RUNTIME → smaller foils/boards → heavier riders
Its 37.5 kg thrust is significant.

The Fusion can also use the 860 Wh battery, giving it a major endurance advantage.

MAX+
The MAX+ is the choice if your priority is:
RIDE FEEL → WEIGHT → POWER → versatility
And the difference is surprisingly small.
With FM+650:

• Fusion: 7.13 kg
• MAX+: 6.71 kg

That's only 420 g difference.
Yet both produce 1850 W, and the Fusion only gains about 2 kg of maximum thrust.

So I would expect the MAX+ to be considerably more attractive to riders who are primarily foil-assisting rather than efoiling.

For an ~85 kg rider
This is where I think the MAX+ becomes particularly compelling.
At around 85 kg, you don't automatically need the Fusion.

I'd rank them:

Surf / wing / wind swell / prone-style assist

• MAX+ + FM+650

Maximum performance / small foil / small board

• Fusion + FM+650 or 860

Long-distance / maximum session

• Fusion + 860

Minimum weight / highly skilled rider

• MAX+ + FM+430

Short pop-up assistance only

• Slim

The really interesting option: MAX+ + FM+430
This combination is only:
5.33 kg installed

That's remarkably light for a system capable of: 1850 W / 35.5 kg thrust

The trade-off is only around 35–50 minutes light-use runtime according to the supplied figures.
For a competent rider who only needs the motor to:

• get onto foil
• punch through lulls
• catch marginal wind
• get back out through difficult sections
• restart after a fall

…the FM+430 could actually be the best riding setup.

The lower battery weight should be noticeable.

One very important point about the 43 V system

The headline isn't simply "20% more power."
The 43 V architecture should also make the power delivery more useful as the battery voltage falls.
That's important for foil assist.
You don't necessarily need maximum power continuously. What matters is having enough thrust when you need it, particularly during takeoff.
So the Gen 2.5 advantage should be particularly noticeable when:
getting onto foil + using a smaller foil + riding a smaller board + accelerating through lulls.

For Canterbury conditions

Given the kind of riding we get in Canterburys' variable conditions —
I would put the combinations in this order:

1. 🥇 MAX+ + FM+650 Best overall

• • I'd choose this if you want one system that can do almost everything without making the board feel unnecessarily heavy.

2. 🥈 MAX+ + FM+430   Best ride feel

• • If you are already competent at getting onto foil and don't need huge amounts of assistance, this is potentially the most enjoyable setup.

3. 🥉 Fusion + FM+650   Best high-performance option

• • I'd choose this if you're regularly trying to use:
  • smaller boards
  • smaller foils
  • marginal wind
  • heavier gear
  • more aggressive acceleration

4. Fusion + 860  Maximum capability

• • Fantastic for maximum runtime and efoil-style riding, but you're now carrying 8.08 kg on the board.
  • That's a substantial weight penalty for surf/wing-style foiling.

One thing I would NOT do

I wouldn't choose the Slim simply because it's lighter or cheaper.
Foil Drive themselves make an important point in the material you supplied: 
Slim should be selected because you want short-burst assistance, not because of price.

For a single do-everything system, MAX+ is a much safer choice.

My overall verdict

MAX+ + FM+650 is the standout Gen 2.5 combination.

It looks like Foil Drive has deliberately positioned it as the sweet spot between Fusion power and lightweight MAX ride feel.

And there's another advantage: because the FM+650 works with both MAX+ and Fusion, you aren't locking yourself into one system.
You could start with MAX+ and later move to Fusion while retaining the battery.

Key Product Innovations (Gen2.5 Architecture)

• 43V Voltage Shift: Gen2.5 moves to a 43V system (up from 40V), providing limits on voltage drop, longer-lasting power throughout sessions, and 20–27% more power/thrust.
• Assist MAX+ (NEW): The new "all-rounder" unit replacing the original Assist MAX. It acts as a "Mini Fusion" in the MAX form factor, offering 20% more power/thrust than the original MAX.
• Cross-Compatible FM+ Battery Ecosystem: Smart, tool-less battery ecosystem fitting both the MAX+ and Fusion units.
• Free Fusion Power Upgrade: Current and new Fusion owners receive a 10% thrust increase and higher boost time via a free app update.
• Gen2.5 Architecture Features: IP69 battery waterproofing, integrated smart BMS (operable via app), Foil Drive M7 split bolts for quicker installation, an optional tilt sensor, and an included 43V 12A fast charger.

 Unit Line-Up Comparison

• Fusion (Gen2.5 | 43V):
  Hybrid e-foil system built for heavy riders, small boards, and max power/runtime. (Weight: 5.78kg – 8.08kg installed).
• Assist MAX+ (Gen2.5 | 43V - NEW):
  Foil assist all-rounder built for high power with minimal compromise on ride feel. (Weight: 5.33kg – 6.71kg installed).
• Assist Slim (Gen2 | 40V):
  Specialized for light, short power bursts to preserve a natural ride feel.
  (Note: Bringing Slim to 2.5 architecture is planned for the future, but paused due to supply limitations).

Battery Line-Up

• Fusion 860 (864Wh / 20Ah):
  Maximum runtime option exclusive to the Fusion unit.
  
  
  
  
• FM+ 650 (648Wh / 15Ah) [NEW]:
  The new primary "Go-To" battery for both MAX+ and Fusion. Requires a tool-less adapter for the Fusion.
  
• FM+ 430 (430Wh / 10Ah) [Coming Early 2027]:
  The "Sport" battery for MAX+ and Fusion designed for a lighter, sportier ride feel. Requires a tool-less adapter for the Fusion.

• Gen2 40V Batteries:
  MAX High Power,
  MAX Travel,
  Slim High Power
  Slim Travel
  will remain available to support existing Gen2 customers. 
  
  
  
  Gen2 and Gen2.5 batteries are NOT cross-compatible due to voltage differences.

Motor & Accessory Bundles

Motor Bundles:
Motors are now sold as separate Retrofit or Integrated bundles:

FD333 Retrofit High Power V2 Motor Bundle (replaces FD235).

FD332 Retrofit Standard V2 Motor Bundle (replaces FD234).