Automakers told us one day we’d be able to improve our vehicles with over-the-air updates, including getting more power. If you own a Mercedes-Benz EQE or EQS sedan or SUV that day is today.
The German automaker is enabling owners of the EVs to get an on-demand upgrades of up to 80 additional horsepower, translating to as much as a full second off the vehicle’s 0-to-60 time — for a “nominal” fee.
On eligible EQE models, it boosts output from 288 hp to 348 hp — a 60 hp increase — delivering as much as a 1 second quicker acceleration time for the SUV when it races from 0 to 60 mph. Applicable EQS models receive an additional 80 hp for a total output of 435 hp, enabling 0-60 mph acceleration in as little as 4.5 seconds for the sedan.
Nothing is free anymore
If speed kills, it also costs — but you can pay for it in installments, in this case.
For EQE 350 sedan and SUV owners for the privilege of going from stop to 60 mph faster, you will pay $60 a month, $600 a year or you can pay a one-time charge of $1,950 get the jump for the lifetime of the vehicle.
This push lowers the time of the sedan from 6 seconds to 5.1 second and the ute from 6.2 to 5.2 seconds.
If you own the big dawg, the EQS models, it’s a bit more: $90 a month, $900 a year or $2,950 for the lifetime. The sedan’s time drops from 5.3 seconds to 4.5, as previously noted, while the ute goes from 5.8 to 4.9 seconds.
The upgrades come with no impact to the range of the vehicle.
Customers can experience this elevated performance by downloading Acceleration Increase to their vehicle in the Mercedes me connect store at shop.mbusa.com. The Over-the-Air (OTA) integration allows this be accomplished without requiring a trip to a dealership.
More than speed
Mercedes is also quick to remind owners that getting more ponies isn’t the only OTA upgrade they can purchase from the Mercedes me connect store.
These include Beginner Driver and Valet Service Modes, AMG Track Pace, Navigation and expanded Navigation features, Remote Engine Start, and more, the company noted, adding more offerings will launch in the months ahead.