Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall reaction to VW’s horsepower subscription

  • Many see this as blatant rent-seeking and “enshittification”: you buy the hardware, then must keep paying to use its full capability.
  • Several say it puts VW on their personal “do not buy” list and reinforces existing distrust (e.g., after the emissions scandal).
  • Others view it as annoying but not catastrophic: another form of trim-level differentiation, just implemented via software and pricing psychology.

EVs, software locks, and right to repair

  • Debate on whether this is an “EV scam” or just general manufacturer greed: commenters note it’s technically just as feasible on ICE cars.
  • EVs are seen as easier to lock down (everything is already software-controlled), making aftermarket modification and repair harder.
  • Right-to-repair advocates argue this trend extends DMCA-style control to more car systems (wipers, batteries, etc.), not just power.

Economics, capitalism, and pricing logic

  • Defenders argue: one hardware SKU is cheaper to build; software-limited variants let price-segment the market and maybe lower base prices.
  • Critics respond that consumers end up paying for overbuilt hardware they can’t fully use, often also incurring higher insurance/taxes based on max-registered power.
  • Broader macro discussion: “broken” supply–demand due to non-rational, poorly informed consumers, and markets that reward bad products that still sell.

Subscriptions vs one-time unlocks and leasing

  • Many distinguish between:
    • One-time software unlocks (somewhat tolerated, especially for substantial features), and
    • Ongoing subscriptions for latent hardware (widely disliked).
  • Some compare it to leasing a car; others note key differences: leases and loans end, while subscriptions can be repriced and conditions unilaterally changed.
  • “Lifetime subscription” language is distrusted; people worry it’ll hinge on vague “lifetime of the car” or support windows.

Technical and regulatory angles

  • Commenters note engine/EV power is already heavily ECU-controlled; many manufacturers share hardware across trims and detune via software.
  • Some argue de-rating improves reliability and battery/engine longevity; others say the main driver is price discrimination, not engineering.
  • Concerns that software locks complicate compliance with emissions, safety rules, and might create weird interactions with insurance and vehicle taxation.

Hacking, security, and consumer coping strategies

  • Expectation of a growing “jailbreak your car” scene to bypass locks, with counter-worries about bricking, warranty loss, and remote disablement.
  • Some plan to stick with older, simpler, or second-hand cars; others hope for “retro-simple” EVs without connectivity, telemetry, or subscriptions.