Apple Expands CarPlay Ultra to 4 Aston Martin Models as BMW, Audi and Volvo Reject It
Updated
Updated · autonext.co · Jul 25
Apple Expands CarPlay Ultra to 4 Aston Martin Models as BMW, Audi and Volvo Reject It
3 articles · Updated · autonext.co · Jul 25
Summary
Aston Martin is still the only automaker shipping CarPlay Ultra, now across the DBX, DB12, Vantage and Vanquish more than a year after Apple unveiled the system.
CarPlay Ultra goes beyond standard phone mirroring by taking over the instrument cluster, climate controls and drive-mode functions, blending iPhone content with live vehicle data and some native car pages.
In the Vantage, drivers can switch among fixed gauge layouts, full-screen maps and data panels from the steering wheel, while physical buttons and Siri remain available; more layouts are due via over-the-air updates.
Apple requires a digital instrument cluster, wireless operation, and an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.4, while existing current-generation Astons can add the software at a dealer.
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis plan launches in the second half of 2026, but Audi, Volvo and BMW have opted out, underscoring the wider fight over whether carmakers should cede the dashboard to Apple.