Apple’s CarPlay Ultra With Aston Martin Is A Major Car Tech Upgrade

Apple is taking its in-car ecosystem to the next level with the launch of CarPlay Ultra, a dramatic upgrade to its existing CarPlay system.

Apple’s CarPlay Ultra

Debuting in collaboration with Aston Martin, this new version doesn’t just project apps onto a screen, it transforms the entire digital cockpit into an iPhone-powered experience.

How Is it Better Than Apple CarPlay(Previous Version)

CarPlay Ultra isn’t just an upgrade,  it’s Apple kicking the car door open and jumping into the driver’s seat. Unlike the old CarPlay, which just mirrored your iPhone onto a screen, CarPlay Ultra takes over the entire dashboard speedometer, climate controls, you name it and gives it a shiny Apple makeover. It’s still powered by your iPhone, but it looks and feels like your car was designed in Cupertino. The UI blends into the car’s native system while still keeping that familiar iOS vibe. Basically, it’s no longer just CarPlay, it’s iPhone on wheels.

CarPlay Ultra enters a competitive space already occupied by Android Automotive, which offers a similarly deep integration but runs directly on the car’s internal systems. Apple’s approach differs: CarPlay Ultra is still powered by your iPhone, effectively streaming the full experience into the car via the phone.

But Apple’s advantage may lie in familiarity. For millions of iPhone users, CarPlay Ultra extends the ecosystem they already use every day, just now behind the wheel.

CarPlay Ultra extends the ecosystem

“CarPlay Ultra transforms the car into a true extension of the iPhone,” an Apple representative said during the launch presentation.

The first rollout of CarPlay Ultra will begin with Aston Martin models in the US and Canada. But Apple has confirmed that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are next in line to adopt the platform.

There’s no official word yet on when European models will get the update.

“iPhone users love CarPlay, and it has transformed how people connect with their vehicles. With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers, we are reimagining the in-car experience, making it even more unified and consistent,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

“This next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car, while deeply integrating with the car’s systems and showcasing the unique look and feel of each automaker. 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.”

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