Apple’s New CarPlay Ultra Is Here and Aston Martin Is First in Line

Your car’s dashboard just got a serious Apple upgrade.

Fez– Apple has officially unveiled “CarPlay Ultra”, the long-promised upgrade to its in-car experience, and it’s not just a facelift.

First announced in 2022, this sleek new system is finally hitting the roads, starting with Aston Martin’s new lineup.

Yep, the same folks who make James Bond’s favorite wheels. And they’re not alone; Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have all signed up for the next-gen CarPlay revolution.

So, what’s actually new here?

CarPlay Ultra isn’t just your usual Apple-on-wheels situation. It goes way beyond mirroring your phone.

Instead of staying politely tucked away in the infotainment screen like its predecessor, this version takes over the entire car’s digital universe.

Think: your speedometer, fuel gauge, climate control, radio, performance settings, all wrapped in that clean, buttery Apple aesthetic.

That means everything you see on-screen (yes, even the tachometer) now speaks fluent iOS.

It’s like Apple moved into your car and redecorated everything. The look is streamlined, stylish, and instantly familiar if you’ve ever used an iPhone or Mac.

But this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.

Apple’s giving carmakers a toolkit to co-design the look and feel of the interface. The result? Bespoke CarPlay themes that blend Apple’s design DNA with each automaker’s own vibe.

Aston Martin’s version, for example, won’t look like a Kia’s. And you, the driver, get even more say; you can tweak the wallpaper and color schemes to match your mood or your outfit (no judgment).

Here’s the real kicker: CarPlay Ultra doesn’t just display things. It runs things. You can adjust your seat heaters, blast your playlist, fiddle with your suspension settings, or ask Siri to cool the cabin, all without exiting the Apple experience. Physical buttons, touchscreen, voice, it’s all fair game.

Widgets also get a glow-up. They’re now designed to fit seamlessly into any part of the car’s display, so you can glance at maps, music, or messages while keeping your eyes on the road. It’s Apple’s world now; your car’s just living in it.

To jump aboard, you’ll need an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 or higher. The rollout starts with Aston Martin’s new DB12, DBX, Vantage, and Vanquish models in the U.S. and Canada.

If you already own one of those equipped with the next-gen infotainment that launched in 2023, a software update is headed your way soon.

And yes, this is just the beginning. CarPlay Ultra is set to go global within the next year.