The Volkswagen ID.3, a Golf-like electric hatchback not sold on the American market, is not particularly powerful outside of its performance-focused GTX trim level. Like many EVs, the basic ID.3 can be optioned with more horsepower without any actual change to its hardware change. Unlike most of those cars, however, British-market buyers can now opt to pay a monthly fee for that horsepower increase.
Although any horsepower subscription is an alarming step for consumers, the ID.3 Pure's offering is made all the more unfortunate because Volkswagen U.K. advertises the car with 168 hp on its website. An "important information" button reveals the details in fine print, where a disclaimer notes that "Engine power is [148 hp] as standard, [168 hp] if you activate the optional power upgrade for a fee. Choice of one-month free trial or subscription (one month, one year or outright purchase for lifetime of car. See your In-car Shop or the Volkswagen Connect Shop for up to date pricing."
Pricing for that option is not currently listed among other options on the brand's configurators, but Auto Express UK reports that the fee is equivalent to $22.50 per month, $225 for a year, or a one-time purchase of $878. The site could not confirm whether the outright purchase was connected to the car itself or to the user profile purchasing the upgrade. At that rate, the one-time purchase is priced the same as 39 months of monthly subscription or just under four years of the annual subscription.
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