Apple has launched its next-generation in-car system, CarPlay Ultra, and you can now find it in new Aston Martin vehicles across the US and Canada. This marks the start of a big shift in how your car’s digital dashboard looks and works, with more car makers expected to join in soon.
CarPlay Ultra isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a complete redesign of the Apple CarPlay experience. While the current version of CarPlay only runs on your infotainment screen, the new version takes over the entire dashboard. That includes everything from your speedometer and fuel gauge to the climate control and radio settings. Now, you’ll be able to manage nearly every digital function of your car through Apple’s familiar interface.
Full control at your fingertips
With CarPlay Ultra, your car’s digital displays will look and feel like an Apple product. Apple’s design will show your speedometer, tachometer, and fuel readings, and even features like temperature and radio volume will be controlled from the same interface.
You’ll also be able to customise your display with widgets that perfectly fit your screen. These can show useful information like the weather, your calendar, navigation updates, and more—all at a glance.
CarPlay Ultra is only available if you order a new Aston Martin in the US or Canada. Apple and Aston Martin haven’t confirmed which models are supported, but Top Gear recently tested it in the DBX 707. The system is expected to be featured in other new models, such as the DB12, Vantage, and Vanquish.
If you already own one of these Aston Martin models, you may not be left out—CarPlay Ultra will be added to select cars through a software update in the coming weeks.
More car makers are coming soon
Apple isn’t stopping with Aston Martin. The company is working closely with more car brands to bring CarPlay Ultra to more vehicles. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have recently confirmed that they will support CarPlay Ultra in upcoming models.
When Apple first introduced CarPlay Ultra in 2022, several car manufacturers announced plans to support it. Audi, Honda, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Renault, Volvo, etc. Though not all have given a timeline, it’s clear that Apple is aiming for widespread availability across various car brands and price points.
If you’re buying a new car in the next few years, chances are high that you’ll see CarPlay Ultra as an option—especially if you go for a premium or tech-forward model.
A big step forward for in-car technology
Apple is betting that drivers want a more seamless, integrated experience in their cars. CarPlay Ultra brings the iPhone’s clean and intuitive design to your dashboard and puts Apple in control of more car features than ever before.
While it’s currently limited to a small group of vehicles, the launch of CarPlay Ultra is just the beginning. With more manufacturers expected to adopt it and software updates planned for existing cars, you might be able to try it out sooner than you think.
