CarPlay Ultra hits the road in Aston Martin’s latest lineup, expanding Apple’s automotive vision

Apple’s next-generation CarPlay experience has officially made its real-world debut, marking a new chapter in the company’s integration with luxury vehicles. The first live demonstrations of CarPlay Ultra are now surfacing, offering a complete walkthrough of the advanced infotainment system designed to blend iPhone functionality seamlessly with in-car controls.

Aston Martin is the first automaker to showcase the new experience, with footage revealing how deeply CarPlay Ultra transforms the driving interface—from a reimagined instrument cluster to enhanced control over vehicle systems. The Top Gear team provided an extended hands-on look, diving into everything from dynamic navigation visuals to theme customization and widget layouts.

The rollout isn’t limited to new cars. Aston Martin’s existing vehicles equipped with its latest infotainment architecture in North America are set to receive CarPlay Ultra through a forthcoming dealer-installed software update. Availability in other regions will follow in phases throughout the next year.

To use the upgraded system, drivers need an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or newer. Brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are also preparing their vehicles for CarPlay Ultra, signaling broader industry support. As Apple continues to redefine how drivers interact with their vehicles, CarPlay Ultra sets a new benchmark in smart dashboard design, moving closer to the company's vision of a deeply personalized, iPhone-powered driving experience.