The need for speed crashes into the Mercedes paywall. The German automaker will charge $1,200 yearly for the Acceleration Increase add-on.
Note that the update does not modify vehicle hardware. Instead, it unlocks the speed that the car can already reach.
The Mercedes pay-for-speed feature is part of a growing trend in the car industry. Other brands charge money for activating features due to dwindling car sales.
Automakers put standard features behind paywalls.
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The Acceleration Increase add-on is a subscription service that costs $1,200 yearly. It unlocks the torque and speed of Mercedes EQ EQE and EQS electric vehicles.
It will open 20% to 24% more output from the motor. Also, the add-on will enable the cars to reach 0 to 60 mph around 0.8 to 0.9 seconds faster.
The increased torque could help these cars manage steep inclines better. That means that Mercedes EVs came out with limited performance, so drivers could pay to unlock them.
Besides the Mercedes paywall, other brands have begun charging money for standard features. In 2018, BMW charged South Korean drivers $18 monthly for heated seats.
Also, it required $10 per month for heated steering wheels and $8 every month for high-beam-assist headlights.
In 2020 tried to charge customers $80 yearly for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features. Moreover, Toyota implemented an $8 monthly subscription for the remote start feature in 2021.
Tesla cars also have a paywall. The Model 3 can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. You can pay $2,000 to reach that speed sooner at 3.9 seconds.
You must pay $3,000 to get an additional 30 to 40 miles of range. Similarly, Volvo charges $1,000 for a slight boost in torque and horsepower.
Why are car companies charging for features that have been standards for years? Auto sales are dipping as people try to hold on to their cars for much longer.
In response, automakers implemented ways to charge people who already have cars. The Mercedes paywall and similar features are some of their solutions.
Conclusion
Mercedes will charge $1,200 yearly for the Acceleration Increase add-on. It will become available for electric vehicle customers.
The Mercedes paywall will be a standard for Mercedes-EQ EQE and Mercedes-EQ EQS models. That could mean its upcoming G-Wagen may have this feature.
You can check out Inquirer Tech for electric car news. Also, it is a great source of updates on the latest digital trends.
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