Mercedes-Benz is reportedly going to offer its electric vehicle performance enhancement as part of a new online subscription service in the US.
Media reports say the performance gain would be sufficient to allow its EQ electric cars to accelerate 0-60mph around a second faster than the standard cars.
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Mercedes is planning to add the monthly subscription feature on its all-electric EQ sub-brand models. Multiple media reports say that the Mercedes acceleration tweak on EQ vehicles will be made available at an annual rate of USD1,200.
Opponents of the plan will argue that Mercedes is asking customers to pay in addition for a hardware feature fitted to the vehicle when it leaves the factory.
BMW caused a storm earlier this year with its plan to make heated seats available via a similar subscription model.
See also: A warning to OEMs – beware the temptation of subscription services
