Apple CarPlay Ultra Launches on New Aston Martin Cars in the US and Canada

Apple CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation of the company’s iPhone mirroring system, is now available in new Aston Martin vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada. Compared to the original CarPlay experience that launched in 2014, Apple promises a “smarter, safer way” to use an iPhone in the car, with CarPlay Ultra integrating more deeply with a car’s hardware and providing content for multiple screens within the vehicle.

“CarPlay Ultra provides content for all the driver’s screens, including the instrument cluster, with dynamic and beautiful options for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and more, bringing a consistent look and feel to the entire driving experience. Drivers can choose to show information from their iPhone, like maps and media, along with information that comes from the car, such as advanced driver assistance systems and tire pressure, right in the instrument cluster,” Apple explained today.

Apple first showed this next generation of CarPlay during its WWDC 2022 developer conference. It apparently took the company three years to refine the experience, and CarPlay Ultra also provides more customization options for car makers with custom themes. Drivers can also personalize the interface with custom colors and wallpapers.

While Aston Martin is the first car maker to integrate CarPlay Ultra in its new vehicles sold in the US and Canada, Apple’s new infotainment system will also come to existing Aston Martin vehicles that feature the company’s next-generation infotainment system. For these vehicles, CarPlay Ultra will available through a software update available at local dealers in the coming weeks.

“We are excited to kick off the rollout of CarPlay Ultra with Aston Martin — and this is just the beginning, with more automakers on the way,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. The company’s press release mentions that CarPlay Ultra will come to all Aston Martin cars sold globally in the next 12 months. CarPlay Ultra also requires an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 or later.