To boost their profits, car makers are exploring subscription-based models. They offer a range of paid features and onboard streaming services to incentivize customers to pay more every month. Mercedes has introduced a novel concept: the ability to increase a vehicle’s horsepower for a recurring monthly fee.
Mercedes is offering an over-the-air update that can enhance the performance of certain car models, including the EQE350 SUV, EQE350 Sedan, EQS450 SUV, and EQS450 Sedan. The update unlocks additional horsepower, resulting in a significant performance boost for these vehicles.
A boost of 60 hp will elevate the total horsepower of the EQE350 SUVs and Sedans to 348 hp, while the EQS450 models will see an even more significant increase of 80 hp, bringing their total output to 435 hp.
The 0-60 time for the EQE350 SUV and Sedan will decrease to 5.2 and 5.1 seconds, respectively, which is down from their initial figures of 6.2 and 6.0 seconds. For the EQS450 SUV, the 0-60 sprint time will drop from 5.8 to 4.9 seconds. The sedan will now do the deed in 4.5 seconds, down from 5.3 seconds.
Owners of the previously mentioned models have the option to subscribe to the additional power by paying a monthly fee of either $60 or $90, depending on the specific model. They may also choose an annual subscription for $600 or $900.
A lifetime version of the performance upgrade can also be directly purchased from Mercedes. The EQE models’ lifetime upgrade has a cost of $1950, while the EQS models’ upgrade is priced at $2950. If this performance subscription becomes popular, it could inspire similar offerings in the industry.
A quick look at acceleration increase:
