Apple has officially launched CarPlay Ultra, the next evolution of its in-car infotainment system. It debuts today with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada and will soon be available for existing models through a software update. CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated, more immersive driving experience by combining the best of the iPhone with the car’s built-in systems.
CarPlay, as we know it, primarily lives on the center infotainment screen. It mirrors your iPhone interface and allows you to control music, navigation, calls, and messages. It is clean, functional, and intuitive, but its scope is limited.
CarPlay Ultra changes everything. Instead of being confined to one screen, it takes over all of the vehicle’s displays, including the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. For the first time, Apple’s ecosystem extends to the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauges, tire pressure indicators, and even advanced driver assistance systems.
Key Features of CarPlay Ultra
- Multiple Screen Integration: Content from your iPhone, such as Apple Maps, Now Playing, or Calendar, can now be shown across all driver-facing displays. This means you could be checking navigation instructions on your instrument cluster while your center console plays music and shows incoming calls.
- Custom Widgets: CarPlay Ultra introduces a widget system tailored for in-car usage. These are optimized for glanceability, letting drivers see things like weather, calendar events, or battery levels quickly and safely.
- Deep Vehicle Control: Unlike the previous version that was largely passive, CarPlay Ultra allows users to control vehicle-native functions such as climate control, radio, or even advanced performance settings, all through Siri, touch, or physical buttons. It creates a far more unified interface between the car and the iPhone.
- Custom Themes per Automaker: Apple has worked directly with car manufacturers to develop themes that preserve each brand’s identity. Aston Martin’s implementation, for example, includes sleek digital clusters with customizable colors and wallpapers. This approach ensures that while the system runs on Apple’s platform, it still feels like an Aston Martin.
Comparing with the Previous CarPlay
| Feature | CarPlay | CarPlay Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display Area | Center screen only | All screens including instrument cluster |
| Controls | Limited to iPhone apps | Controls vehicle functions (climate, radio, etc.) |
| Visual Design | Apple-only design | Co-designed with car brands, customizable themes |
| Widgets | None | iPhone-powered in-car widgets |
| Integration Depth | Surface-level | Deep system-level integration |
The first rollout begins with Aston Martin, but Apple has already confirmed that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are committed to bringing CarPlay Ultra to their future lineups. This shows that CarPlay Ultra is not just a niche luxury feature.
Given how widely loved the original CarPlay is, the industry support for this next-generation version seems inevitable. Consumers have become increasingly comfortable with Apple’s clean UI and ecosystem integration. CarPlay Ultra simply takes this further by removing the fragmentation between car systems and mobile devices.
From a tech perspective, CarPlay Ultra is a game-changer. It solves one of the biggest issues in modern vehicles: fragmented, clunky infotainment systems with inconsistent UX. By merging the intelligence of iOS with the functionality of the car, Apple is simplifying the driving experience.
It is also a strategic win for Apple. By embedding itself even deeper into the automotive space, Apple lays more groundwork for its rumored future car ambitions. Even if Apple never launches its own vehicle, owning the digital experience inside other brands’ cars is a powerful position to be in.
Still, success will depend on how flexible Apple is with automakers and how well it performs in real-world driving. Early feedback from Aston Martin users will be crucial.
