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August 14, 2025

Volkswagen's Controversial Subscription Model: Unlocking Horsepower for a Fee

Explore Volkswagen's decision to lock horsepower behind a paid subscription for its ID.3 models. Learn about the performance implications, pricing, and what this means for car owners in the age of subscription services.

Volkswagen's Controversial Subscription Model: Unlocking Horsepower for a Fee

In an unexpected move that has sparked considerable debate among car enthusiasts and owners alike, Volkswagen has implemented a subscription model for its ID.3 electric vehicles. If you've cringed at subscription fees for Netflix and other streaming services, you might want to sit down—but not get too comfortable, as you'll need to pay a monthly fee to unlock the full potential of your vehicle.

What’s the Deal?

Volkswagen's ID.3 entry-level Pure models boast a manufacturer-claimed output of 170kW (approximately 168bhp). However, beneath the surface lies a surprising limitation: unless owners opt for a monthly subscription, the vehicle's performance is electronically restricted to just 148bhp. This means that ID.3 owners who want to experience the car's full power will face an additional charge of £16.50 per month. This sum, drastically higher than the cost of a standard Netflix subscription, adds up to about £165 annually. Alternatively, Volkswagen offers a lifetime subscription for £649.

Breaking Down the Costs

Let’s put this into perspective. Trying to access an extra 20bhp comes at quite a price. If one were to use this performance upgrade subscription over time, it could lead to considerable costs over the years—leading many ID.3 owners to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of such an investment. For example, a two-year subscription would cost £396, nearly the price of a decent vacation. It indeed raises questions about the future of vehicle ownership in a world increasingly inclined toward subscription models.

The Performance Upgrade Package Explained

Volkswagen claims that the subscription does enhance the vehicle's specifications. When the performance upgrade is selected, the net power increases from 148bhp to 168bhp, alongside a torque enhancement from 265Nm to 310Nm. What is significant here is that the company assures owners that this performance enhancement does not affect the vehicle's overall range—an important consideration for electric vehicle owners.

A little silver lining for buyers is that since the factory registration already lists the car at 168bhp, they won’t have to inform their insurance providers if they subscribe.

The Implications of Potential Hacks

However, the question looms—what if an owner attempts to bypass this system through