Volkswagen launches a Netflix style subscription: you will have to pay to unlock the entire power of your car

Volkswagen wants to perform the steps of some manufacturers such as Tesla or Mercedes to increase their income thanks to a strategy that does not like users. The German company launched a Netflix subscription model for Volkswagen ID.3, where users They must pay a monthly payment if you want to unlock the entire power of your carField

Volkswagen baptized this monthly subscription as “optional power update”. It has a price about 16.50 euros per monthWith the possibility of receiving a month completely free as evidence, and those who prefer it can pay one quota of 649 euros to unlock this function.

What does the “optional power update” offer? In fact, it allows users to use the maximum power that is supplied with the base configuration of Volkswagen ID.3 Pro and Pro S. In particular, both models are equipped with an engine with a capacity of 170 kW (231 hp) and 310 nm of torque. However, in the configurator, the company shows that two vehicles operate only 150 kW (204 hp) and 265 nm of torque. In order to unlock these additional 20 hp, you must pay almost 17 euros per month, that the cost of subscription.

Volkswagen subscription will not affect autonomy

Volkswagen, yes, confirms that this increase in power does not affect autonomy. And Volkswagen ID.3 Pro and ID.3 Pro S They will save 386 and 565 kilometers of WLTP autonomy (Depending on the version). Drivers, in addition, should not inform the insurer about this modification, since the vehicle is registered with the maximum power achieved by the engine.

Said the Volkswagen subscription model can Raise the contradiction Before the disagreement of many users when paying for a fee for the fact that the vehicle is already standard. Nevertheless, we repeat, this is what other companies have already done with some of their vehicles. In Europe, Tesla offers a premium connection model where users can unlock additional functions for 10 euros per month, such as real traffic or radar cards. And in the United States they have complete autonomous driving under the subscription. In 2022, BMW also activated a monthly subscription to unlock the functions of heating seats in her vehicle, although ultimately she removed it from criticism of her customers.

The difference is that Volkswagen “forces users” to pay in order to reveal the power of the basic version of their car, which we did not see in other manufacturers. Let’s see if the company supports this subscription or will collapse before the disagreement of its users.