Apple’s next-generation in-car experience, CarPlay Ultra, is finally rolling out – but for now, it’s exclusive to new Aston Martin vehicles in the US and Canada. The system was first announced a while back, but after delays, it’s now officially available.
CarPlay Ultra goes beyond the traditional CarPlay setup by integrating with all of a car’s displays, including the instrument cluster. This means drivers can see information like speed, fuel levels, and tire pressure alongside iPhone features such as navigation and media controls. It also means you can interact with the physical knobs and dials in your car instead of thumbing a touchscreen while driving. The interface is customized to match each automaker’s design, and drivers can personalize themes and layouts to their liking.
Initially, CarPlay Ultra is available on new orders of Aston Martin’s DBX, Vantage, DB12, and Vanquish models. Existing owners with compatible systems will receive a software update in the coming weeks. Apple has also announced that brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are working to bring CarPlay Ultra to their vehicles in the near future – it looks as though this will be the new standard going forward.
To use CarPlay Ultra, drivers need an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or newer. While the rollout is currently limited, it’s a significant step toward Apple being a bigger and better presence in cars around the world.