239
Forget Netflix, Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription (www.autoexpress.co.uk)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/enshittification@lemmy.world
46 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 10 points 1 year ago (9 children)

We'll say it again: They had different amounts of power because it wasn't the same hardware.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 9 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    Not always. Sometimes the more powerful car gets something like a bigger turbo, sometimes it's literally the exact same engine with the exact same peripherals, but one costs 2 grand more because more power.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (7 children)

    Then explain chip tuning.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 7 child comments
    •
  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago (5 children)

    Chip tuning is a way to have slightly different performance from the factory settings, but they didn't sell different models where the only difference was chip tuning. Chip tuning is modifying the purchased car, like changing the rims or adding a different air intake.

    This is completely different because they made it for 228 HP and down tuned it so they could charge a subscription to remotely apply the tuning the car was designed for. This is charging money to undo an electronic limiter they added pureky to gouge customers.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 5 child comments
    •
  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    but they didn't sell different models where the only difference was chip tuning.

    You sure?

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

    I admit not looking into it in the last few years, but since chip tuning has been around since the early days of computer chips in cars, and I'm talking about cars released over several decades. This article presents it as something new, so I didn't take the time to double check recent history.

    Do you have examples of paying more at the point of sale or as a subscription for only tuning that are more than a few years old?

    Tesla doesn't really count since they fuck around with their software constantly.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (2 children)

    Chip tuning is a real thing that simply remap the injection/ignition timing to deliver more power. This is done by ignoring emissions regulations, engine wear, and fuel consumption in favor of power.

    It doesn't involve changing parts of the engine. But often the reverse is true where changing engine parts will need you to chip tune the car in order to make use of the new parts.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_tuning

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    That is when someone changes the operating parameters of the engine.

    From the factory the air/fuel mixture, turbo boost maximum, shift points, shift duration, and many others are configured to maximize longevity, fuel economy and comfort.

    When someone changes those values, they are choosing to trade any one of the previous things for more power. Usually durability is the biggest trade off. You generate more heat, use more fuel and wear components out more rapidly.

    Its like adjusting the pressure regulator on your house water main. Same hardware, but now you can dial up the water pressure to max. You will also probably start seeing more leaks at faucets, water heater and appliances that must now sustain that higher pressure.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent