Credit: Aston Martin

It's a few years later than we were promised, but an advanced new version of Apple CarPlay is finally here. CarPlay is Apple's way of casting a phone's video and audio to a car's infotainment system, but with CarPlay Ultra it gets a big upgrade. Now, in addition to displaying compatible iPhone apps on the car's center infotainment screen, CarPlay Ultra will also take over the main instrument panel in front of the driver, replacing the OEM-designed dials like the speedometer and tachometer with a number of different Apple designs instead.

"iPhone users love CarPlay and it has changed the way people interact with their vehicles. With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers we are reimagining the in-car experience and making it even more unified and consistent," said Bob Borchers, vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple.

However, to misquote William Gibson, CarPlay Ultra is unevenly distributed. In fact, if you want it today, you're going to have to head over to the nearest Aston Martin dealership. Because to begin with, it's only rolling out in North America with Aston Martin, inside the DBX SUV, as well as the DB12, Vantage, and Vanquish sports cars. It's standard on all new orders, the automaker says, and will be available as a dealer-performed update for existing Aston Martins with the company's in-house 10.25-inch infotainment system in the coming weeks.

"The next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car, deeply integrating with the vehicle while maintaining the very best of the automaker. We are thrilled to begin rolling out CarPlay Ultra with Aston Martin, with more manufacturers to come," Borchers said.

"Aston Martin is delighted to have collaborated with Apple, and to be first to launch CarPlay Ultra. As a Brand our focus on world-leading performance goes beyond the traditional attributes associated with powertrains, dynamic performance and craftsmanship." said Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark. "Building on our in-house state-of-the-art infotainment system, CarPlay Ultra will provide additional functionality and personalisation opportunities which place Aston Martin at the forefront of infotainment in the sector," Hallmark said.

While this will be disappointing news for anyone who wanted to use CarPlay Ultra now but wasn't planning to purchase a new Vantage, it is true to form. When Apple first launched the original CarPlay in 2016, the only way to experience it here in the US at first was to buy a Ferrari FF. But we have heard that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are all confirmed as being on the list of brands to get CarPlay Ultra as well.

Automaker attitudes toward Apple CarPlay vary throughout the industry. In this case, Aston says it has worked with Apple so that the Apple-designed dashboards are still consistent with the British automaker's identity. Porsche has also embraced the platform, cleverly updating its own iOS app so that Porsche drivers can interact with systems traditionally beyond the reach of CarPlay, like the heating and cooling.

Deciding which of the car's systems it can access is one that rests with the automakers, and with CarPlay Ultra that access gets more expansive. General Motors is at the other end of the spectrum. In 2023 it decided to ditch CarPlay (and Android Automotive, which does the same thing but for that phone OS), perhaps convinced that doing so would unlock a new stream in recurring revenue. Instead, GM seems merely to have identified an entire segment of the population who will no longer consider any of its vehicles as a result, if the Ars comments are any bellwether.

Look for a hands-on with CarPlay Ultra here at Ars in the near future.