Mercedes Benz Now Charging $1,200 Subscription To Unlock Faster Acceleration In Their Cars
25 Nov 2022
Mercedes-Benz has started charging its customers $1,200 (£991) per year to unlock faster acceleration in their vehicles.
Owners of the Mercedes-EQ EQE and Mercedes-EQ EQS electric cars are the latest victims of micro-transactions in the automotive industry which has seen a number of car and truck manufacturers launch subscription-based services.
Extra torque is unlocked via over-the-air updates, which magically make it possible for the vehicle to accelerate as fast as it technically already could.
The EQE, which will be available both as a sedan and an SUV come 2023, will receive a maximum motor output boost of 45 kW for a total of 260 kW. The EQE 350 sedan will go from zero to 60 in 5.1 seconds (up from 6.0) while the EQE 350 SUV will take about 5.2 seconds (up from 6.2).
The EQS, which will also come as a sedan and an SUV next year, will get an output increase of 65 kW for a total of 330 kW. The EQS 450 and EQS 450 SUV will reach 60 miles per hour in 4.5 and 4.9 seconds respectively (up from 5.3 and 5.8).
A Mercedes spokesperson told media outlets that the ability to retrofit special vehicle functions after the initial purchase is “a useful way for customers to flexibly adapt their car and use certain functions only when they are really needed or desired”.