Apple has officially begun rolling out the next chapter for its in-car platform. Known now as “CarPlay Ultra,” this ambitious evolution was announced today and is starting its deployment within select Aston Martin vehicles. This represents a significant step beyond the current version, aiming for a far deeper integration with the car’s systems and displays.
The initial availability for CarPlay Ultra is for new Aston Martin vehicle orders placed specifically in the U.S. and Canada markets. This rollout marks the first time drivers will experience the full scope of Apple’s redesigned in-car interface.
Existing Aston Martin vehicles that already feature the brand’s next-generation infotainment system are not left out. These models in the U.S. and Canada are scheduled to receive support for CarPlay Ultra via a software update that will become available at local dealerships in the coming weeks. Apple has also indicated plans for a global expansion to more vehicles next year.
Unlike the current system which primarily uses the central display, CarPlay Ultra is designed to take over all driver-facing screens. This includes integrating seamlessly with the digital instrument cluster, providing essential driving information directly within Apple’s interface alongside traditional infotainment functions.
This deep integration means CarPlay Ultra can display critical vehicle data such as the speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and temperature gauges directly on the driver’s screen. Automakers can implement custom themes to ensure these readouts match their brand’s specific look and feel, while still offering personalization options like wallpapers and color schemes for drivers.
Beyond just displaying information, CarPlay Ultra allows users to control key vehicle functions without leaving the Apple environment. Drivers can manage settings for the radio and climate control, along with certain vehicle-specific features like audio system configurations or performance settings, using the touchscreen, physical buttons, or Siri voice commands.
A new addition is the inclusion of customizable, iPhone-style widgets. These can be placed on the car’s displays to offer at-a-glance information such as upcoming calendar events or weather conditions. Dedicated widgets for Vehicle, Radio, and Climate controls are also available, keeping important car functions readily accessible within the Ultra interface.
Powering the experience wirelessly is a compatible iPhone, specifically an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 or a later version. The system leverages some of the vehicle’s built-in processing to render elements locally, contributing to a smoother user experience. For functions not fully integrated, like backup camera feeds or specific advanced settings, the system allows the car’s native UI to overlay temporarily onto the CarPlay screen, ensuring access without needing to switch modes entirely.
Aston Martin is the first automaker to officially launch with CarPlay Ultra, but Apple also confirmed new partners are on board. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are now working to implement the system in their future vehicles. The status of several other brands previously announced as partners back in 2022 remains uncertain, though Mercedes-Benz publicly withdrew its support last year.
This launch positions CarPlay Ultra as a direct competitor to embedded systems like Google’s Android Automotive OS and its recent Gemini integration. It represents Apple’s most ambitious attempt yet to make the iPhone the central hub of the in-car experience, building on the widespread popularity of standard CarPlay despite facing a delay from its initial 2024 launch target.
While the system is a significant upgrade, early reports mention a brief initial lag when connecting for the first time as a vehicle-specific package downloads. There’s also a note that on vehicles with smaller screens, calendar event notifications can sometimes overlap and obscure media playback information
