Apple CarPlay Ultra represents a major leap for in-car infotainment. Officially launched in May 2025, CarPlay Ultra is described as the “next generation” of CarPlay that “deeply integrates with the vehicle to deliver the best of iPhone and the best of the car”. In practical terms, this means that CarPlay Ultra can display maps, music, and other phone apps on the main infotainment screen and in the instrument cluster and other driver displays. Unlike standard CarPlay, which only took over the centre screen, Ultra reaches all dashboards, allowing it to blend Apple’s interface with vehicle gauges and custom themes.
Apple emphasises the deeply integrated nature of CarPlay Ultra: it provides real-time content and gauges (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, etc.) on all of the driver’s screens. The system matches each automaker’s “look and feel” while still delivering iPhone features. For example, drivers can see turn-by-turn directions or music info in the instrument cluster, right next to the car’s built-in indicators. The ultra-customised interface means that each brand can use its own styling; Apple notes that CarPlay Ultra “provides the ultimate in-car experience by deeply integrating with the vehicle”. In short, CarPlay Ultra blurs the line between your phone and your car, creating a seamless digital cockpit.
Major Features of CarPlay Ultra
- Multi-screen Dashboard Integration: CarPlay Ultra brings iPhone content to every display in the car. The instrument cluster and centre screen can simultaneously show information from both the car and the iPhone. For example, you could have the car’s speedometer and fuel gauge alongside a live navigation map or media info from your phone. According to Apple’s announcement, drivers can mix and match data: “show information from their iPhone, like maps and media, along with information that comes from the car, such as advanced driver assistance systems and tyre pressure” right in the cluster.
- Rich Car Data and Controls: CarPlay Ultra is not just a screen-mirroring tool; it can control many vehicle systems. Users can adjust climate, audio settings, or even performance modes through the CarPlay interface. Controls can be accessed via touchscreen, the car’s physical knobs and buttons, or Siri voice commands. For instance, you might tap the cluster or use Siri to change the radio station or cabin temperature, all within CarPlay. This level of integration means even car-specific features (like sport mode settings or engine telemetry) can be managed from CarPlay. Apple calls this a “more fluid and seamless experience” because the interface handles both phone tasks and core car functions together.
- Customisation and Personalisation: Each automaker can tailor CarPlay Ultra to match its brand, and drivers can personalise it to their tastes. Apple says brands can apply custom themes “tailor-made for each vehicle” that reflect their styling. On top of that, drivers can pick their own wallpaper, colour scheme and even widget layout. CarPlay Ultra introduces iPhone-powered widgets (calendar, weather, etc.) that fit neatly on car screens, giving glanceable info at all times. Essentially, you can make CarPlay Ultra look and feel like an extension of your iPhone, or like a unique part of your car’s dashboard, whichever you prefer.
- Widgets and At-a-glance Info: Like iOS on the phone, CarPlay Ultra can display widgets in the cockpit. These might show your upcoming calendar events, the weather, or any live widget you add. Apple notes that CarPlay Ultra “introduces widgets powered by iPhone that perfectly fit the car’s screen or gauge cluster to provide information at a glance”. This means you can check useful data without leaving the driving view, enhancing safety and convenience.
Together, these features mean CarPlay Ultra significantly changes the in-car experience. It’s no longer just a standalone app on the head unit; it’s a unified, multi-screen interface that feels built into the car itself. As Apple puts it, the goal is to “reimagine the in-car experience, making it even more unified and consistent”. In other words, CarPlay Ultra offers a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone on the road, with everything under one cohesive system.
Supported Vehicles and Rollout
At launch, Aston Martin is the first (and currently only) automaker to support CarPlay Ultra. Starting May 2025, all new Aston Martin orders in the U.S. and Canada will come with CarPlay Ultra pre-installed. Existing Aston Martin owners (with the newest infotainment hardware) can also get a software update soon to add Ultra. Apple says a global rollout will follow over the next year, meaning owners worldwide should see updates in late 2025 or 2026. According to MacRumors, CarPlay Ultra will be supported on all new Aston Martin models such as the DBX, Vantage, and others with the latest system.
Beyond Aston Martin, several other brands have signed up for CarPlay Ultra. Apple officially confirmed Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis as new partners. These manufacturers are working on versions of CarPlay Ultra for their upcoming vehicles. In fact, Apple’s initial WWDC 2022 announcement had already listed many committed automakers, including Land Rover, Ford, Audi, Honda, Volvo, Porsche, Jaguar and others. (Notably, Mercedes-Benz dropped out but Aston Martin later joined.) While details and timelines are still to come, Apple has emphasised that “many other automakers around the world are working to bring CarPlay Ultra to drivers”. In summary, high-end and mainstream brands alike appear eager to adopt the new system, so CarPlay Ultra should appear in a growing range of 2025–2027 models.
Technical compatibility is straightforward: CarPlay Ultra works with iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means drivers can use CarPlay Ultra if they have a recent iPhone and the required software update. As more cars enable Ultra, it will gradually replace classic CarPlay on compatible systems.
The Enhanced Driving Experience
With CarPlay Ultra, the in-car experience feels like a smooth blend of iPhone and car. Instead of switching between different screens and interfaces, everything lives in one place. You can have navigation directions right in front of you on the dash, see music controls on the instrument cluster, and still glance at speed or fuel – all at once. Having tyre pressure or advanced driver-assist alerts integrated into the same layout means you stay better informed without distraction.
This integration also helps keep drivers safer. Apple says CarPlay Ultra provides a “smarter, safer way to use [the] iPhone in the car”. For example, if Siri can control more of the car functions, you can use voice commands instead of fidgeting with the screen. The unified design means less visual switching. And because automakers can prioritise the display, important warnings or data won’t get hidden behind your map or music. In short, everything important is visible at a glance and in the driver’s line of sight.
The personalisation aspects make it feel future-proof too. Whether you’re a tech-savvy fan who wants every app accessible, or a minimalist who wants a clean dial with just essentials, CarPlay Ultra can be adjusted to suit you. That optimism is echoed by Aston Martin’s comment: the company sees CarPlay Ultra as “bringing unique experiences and in-vehicle capabilities” to customers, putting Aston Martin “at the forefront of infotainment”.
Indeed, the overall tone from Apple and partners is enthusiastic. Bob Borchers of Apple said it’s “just the beginning, with more automakers on the way”. As more brands and models roll out CarPlay Ultra, drivers worldwide will see richer, more immersive interfaces in their cars. The new system promises to make every drive more connected and enjoyable, without sacrificing safety or style.
In summary, Apple CarPlay Ultra is an ambitious upgrade to in-car tech. By unifying phone and car displays, offering deep vehicle integration, and letting brands and drivers customise the look, it paves the way for a genuinely modern driving experience. For car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, CarPlay Ultra is the spark of a thrilling new era on the road, one where your car’s technology feels as smart and seamless as your iPhone.
