VW's Pay-to-Unlock Horsepower Feature Sparks Debate
2025-08-16
Volkswagen is offering a paid upgrade to unlock extra horsepower in its vehicles, sparking controversy. Owners question why this power is present but requires additional payment. VW argues this mirrors traditional options for different engine power, but shifted to a post-purchase choice. However, unofficially unlocking this power ('jailbreaking') could void warranties or invite legal action. This practice isn't unique to VW; BMW and Polestar have also offered similar paid performance upgrades.
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