Mercedes-Benz locks horsepower behind paid subscription: Difference between revisions
Created page with "'''Mercedes''' initially marketed and sold their EQE 350 and EQS 450 models with a lower power output than the hardware was capable of delivering. The company later introduced a paid software upgrade that unlocked the vehicles' full performance potential. == Background == In April 2023, Mercedes launched "Acceleration Increase" for North American customer, a performance acceleration on-demand upgrade available for the EQE 350 and EQS 450 in both sedan..." |
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'''[[Mercedes Benz|Mercedes]]''' initially marketed and sold their EQE 350 and EQS 450 models with a lower power output than the hardware was capable of delivering. The company later introduced a paid software upgrade that unlocked the vehicles' full performance potential. | '''[[Mercedes Benz|Mercedes]]''' initially marketed and sold their EQE 350 and EQS 450 models with a lower power output than the hardware was capable of delivering. The company later introduced a paid software upgrade that unlocked the vehicles' full performance potential. | ||
== Background == | ==Background== | ||
In April 2023, Mercedes launched "Acceleration Increase" for North American customer, a performance acceleration on-demand upgrade available for the EQE 350 and EQS 450 in both sedan and SUV body styles. The upgrade allows customers to access the full capabilities of the vehicle's existing hardware.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=26 Apr 2023 |title=Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Performance Acceleration On-Demand Upgrade for EQE and EQS Customers |url=https://media.mbusa.com/releases/mercedes-benz-usa-announces-performance-acceleration-on-demand-upgrade-for-eqe-and-eqs-customers |access-date=21 Aug 2025 |website=media.mbusa.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Sebastien |date=22 Nov 2022 |title=Mercedes Releases A $1,200 Annual Subscription To Unlock A 60 To 110 HP For Its EVs |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2022/11/mercedes-releases-a-1200-annual-subscription-service-to-add-an-extra-60-to-110-hp-to-its-evs/ |access-date=21 Aug 2025 |website=carscoops.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stafford |first=Eric |date=26 Apr 2023 |title=Mercedes Reveals EQE and EQS 'Acceleration Increase' Subscription Pricing |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43713075/mercedes-benz-eqe350-eqs450-acceleration-increase-subscription-pricing/ |access-date=21 Aug 2025 |website=caranddriver.com}}</ref> | In April 2023, Mercedes launched "Acceleration Increase" for North American customer, a performance acceleration on-demand upgrade available for the EQE 350 and EQS 450 in both sedan and SUV body styles. The upgrade allows customers to access the full capabilities of the vehicle's existing hardware.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=26 Apr 2023 |title=Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Performance Acceleration On-Demand Upgrade for EQE and EQS Customers |url=https://media.mbusa.com/releases/mercedes-benz-usa-announces-performance-acceleration-on-demand-upgrade-for-eqe-and-eqs-customers |access-date=21 Aug 2025 |website=media.mbusa.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Sebastien |date=22 Nov 2022 |title=Mercedes Releases A $1,200 Annual Subscription To Unlock A 60 To 110 HP For Its EVs |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2022/11/mercedes-releases-a-1200-annual-subscription-service-to-add-an-extra-60-to-110-hp-to-its-evs/ |access-date=21 Aug 2025 |website=carscoops.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stafford |first=Eric |date=26 Apr 2023 |title=Mercedes Reveals EQE and EQS 'Acceleration Increase' Subscription Pricing |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43713075/mercedes-benz-eqe350-eqs450-acceleration-increase-subscription-pricing/ |access-date=21 Aug 2025 |website=caranddriver.com}}</ref> | ||
This is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a growing trend among automakers to base their business models on recurring revenue generated through subscription services that sell '''[[Features on Demand (FoD)]]'''. | This is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a growing trend among automakers to base their business models on recurring revenue generated through subscription services that sell '''[[Features on Demand|Features on Demand (FoD)]]'''. | ||
== How it works == | ==How it works== | ||
The Acceleration Increase is available as a one-time purchase or as a monthly or yearly subscription, offering performance increases of up to 80 hp and a 1.0-second improvement in 0–60 mph acceleration.<ref name=":0" /> | The Acceleration Increase is available as a one-time purchase or as a monthly or yearly subscription, offering performance increases of up to 80 hp and a 1.0-second improvement in 0–60 mph acceleration.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
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This means that these vehicles were initially marketed has having lower power than their hardware was actually capable of. | This means that these vehicles were initially marketed has having lower power than their hardware was actually capable of. | ||
== See also == | ==See also== | ||
* [[BMW feature lockout scandal]] | *[[BMW feature lockout scandal]] | ||
* [[Mazda remote-start subscription]] | *[[Mazda remote-start subscription]] | ||
* [[BMW's heated seat subscription]] | *[[BMW's heated seat subscription]] | ||
* [[Software locks]] | *[[Software locks]] | ||
* [[Audi Basic HVAC "Sync" Function Paywalled]] | *[[Audi Basic HVAC "Sync" Function Paywalled]] | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Mercedes Benz]] | [[Category:Mercedes Benz]] | ||
[[Category:Mercedes Benz EQS]] | [[Category:Mercedes Benz EQS]] | ||
[[Category:Mercedes Benz EQE]] | [[Category:Mercedes Benz EQE]] | ||