The German car-maker says its "optional power upgrade" is designed to give customers more choice.

German car making giant Volkswagen (VW) has introduced a subscription for UK customers wanting to increase the power of some of its electric cars.

Those who buy an eligible car in its ID.3 range can choose to pay extra if they want to unlock the full power of the engine inside the vehicle.

VW says the “optional power upgrade” will cost £16.50 per month or £165 annually - or people can choose to pay £649 for a lifetime subscription.

  • scops@reddthat.comEnglish
    4·
    3 hours ago

    Tesla has also been doing this for years. My 2019 Model 3 has an upgrade option for the acceleration. It’s a one time payment, but Tesla’s no stranger to the subscription model. They offer monthly fees for the upgraded “self-driving” package and occasionally give me a free trial period to try it out. I’ve had enough phantom braking incidents with the stock version that I’ll never use it.

    ETA: Also, any upgrades I get for my car will not transfer if I sell it. I’m guessing that’s a big incentive for Volkswagen and the like to jump on board for this shitty practice.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 hours ago

      Good points. I do feel like I remember that the Full Self Driving was a paid upgrade and I’ve seen enough stories of Tesla locking people out of things via update. For something like FSD, does it throw you off any driving it after the trial ends, like do you get reliant on some of the upgraded features and then forget ever when they get turned back off? Having something as a potatnetial aid or safety feature that is potentially sometimes there and sometimes not seems a bit weird. Something like VW’s speed limiter would just make you slower, but if you get used to the car steering/braking and then another day it doesn’t, that seems a bit questionable. You sound like you pay attention as you dont like it especially anyway, but just for your average Joe.