Mercedes-Benz is upping its game by providing North American drivers of its EQE and EQS sedans and SUVs with a pay-to-play performance upgrade, dubbed Acceleration Increase. This upgrade enables a simple over-the-air update to increase the horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration of a given EQ electric vehicle. As the German automaker continues to expand its lineup of all-electric EQ vehicles, it is also working to offer a more personalized and flexible system of delivering models that cater to the unique needs of each and every customer. Gone are the days of concrete trim levels as Mercedes is leveraging advancements in over-the-air updates to provide temporary or lifetime upgrades to a specific Mercedes model.
This innovative approach allows owners to customize their EV’s performance and features to their liking. They can easily upgrade or downgrade the vehicle’s performance, depending on their preferences or when the EV is passed on to a new owner. This move by Mercedes is a significant departure from traditional car models, where buyers are locked into specific trim levels. Although paywalled upgrades are not new, companies like Tesla have been offering them for years. However, Mercedes is now offering more speed to its EQE and EQS customers, catching up with its rivals. With the introduction of Acceleration Increase, Mercedes is setting a new standard for personalized and flexible driving experiences that cater to the unique needs and preferences of its customers.
Increased updates
This upgrade can enhance the output of a given EQ-line electric vehicle by up to 80 horsepower and reduce its 0-60 mph acceleration time by a full second. Currently, the Acceleration Increase option is exclusively offered on the EQE 350 4MATIC sedan and SUV, as well as both EQS 450 4MATIC vehicles. After the upgrade, the EQE SUV experiences the most significant acceleration improvement, with a reduction of 1.0 seconds, while the EQS sedan can achieve the fastest 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, down from 5.3 seconds.
Mercedes offers three subscription options for the performance upgrade, ranging from $60 to $90 per month, or a discounted price of $600 to $900 per year. Alternatively, EQE or EQS owners can purchase the upgrade outright from the Mercedes Me Connect Store for the lifetime of the vehicle. The automaker assures that these enhancements do not impact the given EV’s range.
Mercedes-Benz is now offering three subscription options for its Acceleration Increase performance upgrade, allowing customers to choose between paying $60, $75, or $90 per month, or saving by opting for the annual subscription at $600, $750, or $900 per year. Alternatively, EQE or EQS owners can purchase the upgrade outright from the Mercedes Me Connect Store for the lifetime of the vehicle. The automaker has assured its customers that these enhancements do not affect the given EV’s range. Acceleration Increase is the latest addition to the Mercedes me connect Store, which already offers a variety of other upgrades such as “Beginner Driver” and “Valet Service Modes,” AMG Track Pace, expanded navigation, and remote engine start. This over-the-air (OTA) update is expected to be the most popular, as it significantly enhances the performance of EQE and EQS electric vehicles.
Additional OTA upgrades
Mercedes-Benz has been developing its OTA system to provide more flexibility and customization for customers, allowing them to upgrade or downgrade their vehicle’s performance or features as per their changing preferences or when passing the EV to a new owner. The company intends to launch additional OTA upgrades in the coming months, which will provide customers with even more options to tailor their vehicles to their liking.
Overall, this approach by Mercedes-Benz shows a commitment to customer satisfaction and reflects the brand’s efforts to stay ahead of its competition in the electric vehicle market. By offering these customizable upgrades, Mercedes is providing a level of personalization that customers crave, which is essential in today’s automotive industry.
