CarPlay Ultra debuts in Aston Martin
Apple has officially launched CarPlay Ultra, a next-generation upgrade of its in-car infotainment system, and it’s set to change the way drivers interact with their vehicles.
First seen in action inside the high-performance Aston Martin DBX 707, CarPlay Ultra goes far beyond simple phone mirroring to offer a fully integrated digital cockpit experience. And with several major manufacturers already lined up to implement the technology, this could mark a turning point in automotive software design.
CarPlay, as we’ve known it, has essentially functioned as a mirrored smartphone interface, pulling selected apps and functions like navigation, music and messages onto the car’s central screen. But CarPlay Ultra takes a leap forward. No longer just a phone-on-a-screen, the system blends Apple’s intuitive design language with live vehicle data and native user-interface (UI) features to create a more unified digital experience across all the screens in a car, including the digital instrument cluster.
The big shift comes in how CarPlay Ultra handles information. There are now three layers of content delivery. First, the familiar mirrored apps from your iPhone. Then, what Apple calls local UI, which integrates real-time data from the car (like fuel level, speed and climate settings) into the Apple interface. Finally, there’s punch-through UI, which allows certain pages from the car’s native system, such as the reversing camera or high-end audio settings, to appear within the CarPlay environment without alteration.
In practice, it means no more jumping between two clashing interfaces. Everything from maps to media to seat heating can be accessed via the same clean, Apple-designed visual language. And it’s fully responsive to your car’s hardware. In the DBX 707, for instance, the system spans a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster, adapting dynamically to both.
Read more 2022 Aston Martin DBX707 review
One of the headline features is CarPlay Ultra’s ability to take over the instrument cluster. Apple provides manufacturers with a design toolkit, which each car brand can customise to suit their models. Aston Martin has developed multiple cluster layouts, from classic twin roundels in racing green to a full-screen navigation view with minimal driver distraction. Swiping left or right on the steering wheel’s thumb pad allows drivers to switch between these options, while up and down gestures change the data displayed in the centre such as tyre pressures, trip info, or media.
Customisation doesn’t stop there. Within the settings menu, users can tweak colours and some visual elements (though layout choices remain fixed, for now). CarPlay Ultra also supports full integration of climate controls, media, and other key functions. You can interact via the screen, physical buttons (if your car has them), or Siri, which is now linked directly to the voice command button on the wheel.
From May 15, all new Aston Martins sold in the US will come pre-loaded with CarPlay Ultra. Customers with recent models can have it retrofitted at a dealership. A global rollout is expected within the next year. And it’s not just Aston on board; brands like Porsche, Hyundai, Renault, Volvo and Ford have confirmed upcoming models with CarPlay Ultra support.
To use CarPlay Ultra, drivers will need a car with a digital instrument cluster, iOS 18.4 or later, and an iPhone 12 or newer. The connection is entirely wireless after the first pairing, which is either via cable or wireless sync.
