Mercedes Reveals EQE and EQS ‘Acceleration Increase’ Subscription Pricing

• The Mercedes-Benz EQE350 and EQS450 can gain power and reduce acceleration times via an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
• Available on both sedan and SUV models, the EQE350 adds 60 horsepower and the EQS450 adds 80 horsepower; their zero-to-60-mph claims also drop between 0.8 and 1.0 second.
• A one-time fee costs $1950 on the EQE and $2950 on the EQS; however, monthly/yearly subscriptions cost $60/$600 and $90/$900, respectively.

Many people are familiar with paying a subscription fee for a gym membership or a streaming service, but most people have never paid a monthly or yearly fee to unlock increased performance from their automobile. As we detailed last November, Mercedes is introducing a new over-the-air (OTA) software update to do exactly that. Now we know exactly how much the automaker plans to charge subscribers and what options are available to them.

What Does It Do?

Called the “Acceleration Increase,” it can be purchased through Mercedes me Connect services. Initially, it’ll be available on the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQE350 and EQS450 for both their sedan and SUV body styles. The dual-motor EQE350 models make 288 horsepower standard, while the dual-motor EQS450 produces 355 horses out of the box. Opting for the OTA power upgrade raises the EQE’s figures by 60 to 348 horsepower and the EQS’s by 80 to 435 horsepower.

Mercedes also claims the added power will lower each vehicle’s zero-to-60-mph acceleration times. The mightier EQE350 sedan and SUV are expected to hit 60 mph in 5.1 and 5.2 seconds, respectively, which are between 0.9 and 1.0 second quicker. The mightier EQS450 sedan and SUV are expected to hit 60 in 4.5 and 4.9 seconds, respectively, which are between 0.8 and 0.9 second quicker.

How Much Is It?

So, what will this new-age performance upgrade cost customers? The EQE350 models can add it for $60 per month or $600 per year. The EQS450 models can add it for $90 per month or $900 per year. Most notably, however, is that Mercedes will let people avoid the potentially annoying subscription fees and instead pay a one-time fee. That price is $1950 for the EQEs and $2950 for the EQSs.

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Senior Editor

Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.