Apple just dropped CarPlay Ultra — the next-gen in-car wizardry that mashes up the best of your iPhone with the raw power and sleek brains of your ride. And who better to kick off this tech party than Aston Martin? Yeah, the very same beast James Bond would never drive without, now wired tighter to your iPhone than your martini glass is to your hand.
Starting today, if you order a new Aston Martin in the U.S. or Canada, you’re getting CarPlay Ultra baked right in. Already own one of these beauties with the next-gen infotainment system? Sit tight — a software update will have you riding the future soon enough.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill CarPlay — CarPlay Ultra sinks its claws deeper, feeding real-time info across every driver screen, from the digital instrument cluster to the customizable interface that feels like it was designed just for you. It’s the kind of integration that turns your car into a high-end iPhone accessory, not the other way around.
And Aston Martin isn’t flying solo here. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have signed on to bring CarPlay Ultra to their lineups, so soon, even your grandma’s Sunday driver might be flexing with this next-level Apple gear.
As Apple’s Bob Borchers put it, “iPhone users love CarPlay — it’s transformed how we connect with our cars. CarPlay Ultra is the smart, safe, and fully baked evolution, delivering a seamless, automaker-customized experience that’s just getting started.”
So yeah, CarPlay Ultra in Aston Martin isn’t just tech. It’s a statement — the kind of tech that James Bond would approve of. Because when you’re rolling in a premium ride, you want your phone’s smarts to match that swagger.
Tweeter Onatopp?
Unless things have changed for 2025, those who are fortunate enough to own something like the DB12 or Vantage will get to experience CarPlay Ultra with one of the best high-end car audio systems around.
James Bond may have taken one for Her Majesty, but he probably wishes he’d stuck around long enough to hear the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 fitted with a high-octane Bowers & Wilkins surround system.
This marks a major sonic shift for Aston Martin, who previously partnered with brands like Bang & Olufsen. Now, they’re handing over the keys to Bowers & Wilkins—a fellow British heavyweight in high-end audio—to deliver a new level of in-car performance that doesn’t involve oil slicks or missile launchers.
Debuting in the DB12, this collaboration integrated a newly developed Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System to the cockpit, making this the first time Aston Martin drivers were able to experience the company’s signature soundstage on the road. Two iconic British brands. One very fast, very loud partnership.
Integration That’s Nothing Short of Bond-Level
Apple CarPlay Ultra takes over every driver screen like a pro — from the sleek instrument cluster to the speedometer, tachometer, fuel, temperature, and everything in between. It’s not just a facelift; it’s a full makeover that brings a unified, polished look to your entire drive. You can mix and match what’s on display: your iPhone’s maps and media alongside real-time car info like advanced driver aids and tire pressure, all right where you need it.
Controlling your ride? CarPlay Ultra lets you do it your way — tap the screen, hit a button, or bark commands to Siri. Whether you’re tweaking the radio, dialing in the climate, or fine-tuning performance settings and audio system quirks unique to your car, it’s all accessible through CarPlay. No fumbling through menus or switching screens — just smooth, seamless control.
And here’s the kicker: CarPlay Ultra rolls out widgets powered by your iPhone that slide perfectly into the car’s display or gauge cluster, serving up info at a glance without breaking your focus. It’s like having Q’s gadgets—just smarter and simpler—built right into your Aston Martin. Sorry, no ejector seats, hood-mounted machine guns, or oil slicks included. You’re on your own for the dramatic getaways.
A Look That’s as Unique as Your Ride (And Everyone Can See It)
CarPlay Ultra lets each automaker show off their own design swagger — crafted in tight sync between Apple and the carmakers’ design teams so the in-car experience feels custom-built for every vehicle. You get custom themes that reflect the brand’s vibe, plus the freedom to tweak colors and wallpapers to suit your personal style.
But heads up: with everything laid out on those big dash displays, what you put on your screens is basically on public view. So maybe now’s a good time to delete that ahem “private” app you’ve been hiding. Just saying.
“Aston Martin is proud to be the first to launch CarPlay Ultra,” said CEO Adrian Hallmark. “Our world-class performance isn’t just about horsepower or craftsmanship — it’s about partnering with the best to deliver unique, cutting-edge experiences. CarPlay Ultra adds fresh functionality and personalization on top of our already state-of-the-art infotainment, putting Aston Martin at the front of the pack.”
The Bottom Line
Apple CarPlay Ultra builds on the beloved CarPlay platform that’s already changed how drivers connect with their cars, delivering a smarter, safer, and deeply integrated experience that actually works as promised–for the most part depending on which iPhone you’re using and the temperament of your car–looking at you Toyota.
Rolling out now in Aston Martin’s core lineup in the U.S. and Canada—with a global rollout to follow within 12 months—it’s available on new orders today and coming soon via software update for existing models with the next-gen infotainment system.
Compatible with iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or newer, CarPlay Ultra should provide easy access to your favorite streaming apps—Apple Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify—right on your dash, alongside real-time vehicle info and customizable displays. If this all functions as smoothly as Aston Martin’s engineering, your drive just got a serious upgrade.
For more information: astonmartin.com
Related Reading:
Anton
May 21, 2025 at 10:50 am
Looks like a solid update to an otherwise clunky and unreliable app — and it figures that only a few hundred cars can access it right now.
Any word on when it’s coming to Mazda or Toyota?
Ian White
May 21, 2025 at 11:02 am
Anton,
It only makes sense to launch it that way. Would the press really pay attention to something like that if it rolled out in a Kia? Apple has been promising the CarPlay upgrade for a few years and it suddenly appeared. So Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are next and you should start to see it in other cars (hopefully Mazda and Toyota) by the end of 2025. My experience with CarPlay and Toyota has been somewhat mixed. Crashes a lot.
IW
Anton
May 21, 2025 at 11:47 am
Define “crashes a lot” because that has not been my experience although I do feel somewhat locked into Apple’s widgets.
Ian White
May 21, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Anton,
So my issue is that it has proven to be rather unstable via Bluetooth from my iPhone in my older RAV4. I’ve had better luck in rentals including the Mazda CX-70. I have to connect it via USB cable to ensure that it works in my Toyota.
I also don’t like that Apple Music is the default, even though I don’t use it. I have to go on my phone and select Qobuz or TIDAL to make it work. I need to spend more time learning how to change that.
IW