After years of Apple teasing a next-gen CarPlay experience – and then going a bit silent on the timeline – CarPlay 2 is finally official and has just landed with the official moniker of ‘CarPlay Ultra.’
First revealed (although it has changed a fair bit in the years since) back in 2022 at WWDC, Apple’s upgraded in-car system is now hitting the road, literally… starting with select Aston Martin vehicles in the US and Canada.
Whether you’re due for a new ride or you’re lucky enough to already own one of Aston’s newer models, here are 5 big upgrades CarPlay Ultra is bringing to the driver’s seat.
1. A full dashboard takeover
CarPlay won’t be resigned to just a single screen anymore. Instead, the next-gen CarPlay is able to stretch across every display in the car, including the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
That means your maps, music, messages, speedometer, tachometer, and even tire pressure all live in one seamless interface.
Apple’s design will merge directly with the carmaker’s styling too, so the system feels like it belongs in your car, not just bolted on.
2. Widgets, themes, and a seriously customizable layout
No more cookie-cutter UIs, CarPlay Ultra will allow drivers and automakers tailor the whole experience, from cluster themes to wallpaper colors.
For example, if you want your RPM dial in fire-red with tire pressure as a widget alongside, you can – in theory, at least.
For launch, Aston Martin has worked directly with Apple to make sure the interface stays true to their luxe look and feel, and drivers will be able to choose from a number of different instrument cluster themes.
3. Control your car like never before
Things like HVAC controls, audio settings, performance modes and more will be baked into the CarPlay interface.
You’ll be able to adjust core car features from inside the CarPlay environment, using touchscreen controls, physical buttons (if the car has them), or using your voice via Siri.
It’s all still tied into the iPhone ecosystem but still speaks natively to your vehicle’s systems.
4. Siri meets Apple Intelligence… sort of
At launch, Siri in CarPlay Ultra behaves pretty much like it does on your phone. But if you’ve got iOS 18.5 and Apple Intelligence enabled, you can expect to see more AI magic coming soon. The UI is already able to hand off certain queries to ChatGPT, if that’s what your phone’s configured to do.
Google kind of stole Apple’s thunder here, with Gemini for Android Auto going live earlier this month, but it’s good news that CarPlay seems to be future proofing itself for the AI revolution.
5. It’s available now… at a cost
You can get CarPlay Ultra right now – if you’ve got a few hundred thousand dollars to spend.
If you’re buying a new Aston Martin – DBX, Vantage, DB12 or Vanquish – CarPlay Ultra will be baked in by default on all new order starting right now (in the US or Canada).
If you already own a model with Aston Martin’s 2023 infotainment system, you’ll be able to upgrade via software update next month at your dealership.
The good news is support for other car brands is in the pipeline too. Apple name-checked Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis as upcoming partners, and reports suggest Porsche is expected to follow soon.
