The future of CarPlay is here, if you drive a new Aston Martin

Summary

Apple has announced its next-generation CarPlay experience has officially launched, and it’s called CarPlay Ultra. It will be debuting first on new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the US and Canada.
CarPlay Ultra takes over every screen in the vehicle and offers drivers new customization and control options.
More automakers will support CarPlay Ultra in the future, including Kia, Hyundai and Genesis.

Almost three years after

Apple
first introduced its

next-generation CarPlay
at WWDC 2022, it is finally launching.

Apple has announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now officially known as CarPlay Ultra, is starting to roll out.

Initially, CarPlay Ultra will be available in Aston Martin’s core model lineup, with new orders in the US and Canada being the first to get it. Additionally, other Aston Martin models equipped with its next-gen infotainment system will receive the CarPlay Ultra experience via a software update in the coming weeks.

“With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers, we are reimagining the in-car experience, making it even more unified and consistent,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Product Marketing. “This next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car, while deeply integrating with the car’s systems and showcasing the unique look and feel of each automaker.”

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CarPlay Ultra reinvents the CarPlay experience

The new CarPlay experience takes over every screen in the vehicle

Apple

The primary distinction between CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is that CarPlay Ultra controls all screens in your vehicle, not just the central infotainment system. This means it now takes over the instrument cluster as well (as depicted in the image above), which includes the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and more, delivering a cohesive and customizable in-car experience for drivers.

Apple collaborates closely with automakers to customize CarPlay Ultra for each vehicle, ensuring that the experience feels “tailor-made” for each one.

Drivers can manage their car’s radio, climate, and more directly within CarPlay Ultra, using on-screen controls or physical buttons, or they can ask Siri to handle it for them. Need the AC turned on? Just ask Siri. You can also display information from your iPhone on your instrument cluster, such as the currently playing song or other helpful details from your car, like its advanced driver assist features and tire pressure. Additionally, iPhone-like widgets can be placed on your car’s screen or gauge cluster to provide even more information at a glance.

Apple collaborates closely with automakers to customize CarPlay Ultra for each vehicle, ensuring that the experience feels “tailor-made” for each one. Drivers will also have the option to customize CarPlay Ultra to their liking, with the ability to “personalize the colors and wallpapers of themes to match their individual tastes.”

In a press release, Aston Martin states: “The integration of CarPlay Ultra is a clear example of the dedication to collaborate with the best companies in the world to bring unique experiences and in-vehicle capabilities to our customers. Building on our in-house state-of-the-art infotainment system, CarPlay Ultra will provide additional functionality and personalization opportunities, which place Aston Martin at the forefront of infotainment in the sector.”

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CarPlay Ultra is coming to even more cars soon

Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have now committed to working on CarPlay Ultra support

Apple

While CarPlay Ultra is making its debut with new Aston Martin vehicles, it will soon be available in vehicles from other automakers. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are “newly committed brands” working to bring CarPlay Ultra to their vehicles.

At WWDC 2022, Apple revealed a group of automakers partnering with it on CarPlay Ultra. Mercedes-Benz was initially included in this group, but it announced last year that it would no longer support the next generation of CarPlay (via 9to5Mac). Below is the list of automakers that Apple previously stated are working on next-generation CarPlay support:

Honda
Nissan
Ford
Audi
Volvo
Land Rover
Lincoln
Porsche
Jaguar
Acura
Polestar
Renault
Infiniti

Apple states that CarPlay Ultra is compatible with an iPhone 12 or newer, running iOS 18.5 or above. Currently, CarPlay Ultra support is being implemented for Aston Martin’s core model lineup in the US and Canada, with plans to extend to a global vehicle range in the next 12 months. While the timeline for other automakers to introduce CarPlay Ultra remains uncertain, its launch hopefully signifies that it will be coming sooner, rather than later.