Volkswagen Starts Charging A Subscription Fee For More Power

If you thought subscriptions were only reserved for streaming services, Volkswagen has news for you—and your car. In the UK, base models of the electric ID.3 Pure, listed at 170 hp in the configurator, actually come with a limited 150 hp, unless buyers choose to pay an extra charge.

In other words, Volkswagen is charging owners to get access to the power their cars technically already have.

For an additional 20 horsepower and 45 Nm of torque, British drivers have to fork out £16.50 (about €20.50) per month, or £165 (€205) per year. If you want to get rid of monthly payments, VW also offers a one-off “lifetime” payment of £649 (around €799). It’s not explained whether this option is vehicle or account-related, but either way, it’s a significant amount for a modest performance boost.

The increase in power is so small that Volkswagen claims that it will not affect the overall battery range of the ID.3 model at all. It is interesting that, according to Auto Express magazine, this upgrade will not affect the price of insurance either. The reason is simple: the ID.3 is factory-made and homologated at 170 HP, even if you drive it in a weaker version without extra charge.

Volkswagen compared this approach to traditional strategies, where engines of the same displacement are offered in different power levels at different prices. In a press release, the company said:

“Offering more power to customers is nothing new… These are traditionally higher-positioned products on offer, with more specifications and a higher list price. If customers want an even sportier driving experience, they now have the option to do so during the lifetime of the vehicle, instead of committing to a higher initial purchase price from the beginning. The car is presented on the configurator with 170 HP, with the option very clearly presented to customers.”

Of course, the VW ID.3 is far from the only car that uses a subscription model. This isn’t even the only subscription option offered by the German brand; ambient lighting, navigation, voice control, and even heated seats are sold to customers in the same way.

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