Apple has finally pulled back the curtain on CarPlay Ultra—and it’s not just an update, it’s a full-on reinvention. This is Apple’s boldest move yet into the automotive world, turning your car’s entire dashboard into an extension of your iPhone. Think iOS meets sci-fi cockpit.
Currently only rolling out in the US and Canada (starting with Aston Martin), CarPlay Ultra is expected to hit the UK before long—and it could completely change the way we drive.
🔗 Full announcement via MacRumors
🚘 New to CarPlay? Check out our beginner’s guide
What Is CarPlay Ultra?
Let’s start with the basics. CarPlay Ultra is the evolution of Apple’s original CarPlay, which has been around since 2014. But where the original system simply projected selected apps onto your car’s centre display, Ultra takes over every digital screen in your vehicle—including the speedometer and climate controls.
It’s no longer just an interface; it’s an operating system for your car, styled entirely in Apple’s clean, minimalist design language.
CarPlay Ultra Features That Matter
Here’s what makes this next-gen version a potential game-changer:
🧠 Smarter, Unified Display
CarPlay Ultra can display everything from your speed and revs to sat-nav and music playback across the instrument cluster, all in Apple’s sleek UI. No more awkward jumps between your car’s native system and CarPlay.
🧊 Total Control Integration
Adjust your climate settings, check tyre pressure, tweak driving modes, and more—all without leaving CarPlay. It’s not just mirroring apps anymore; it’s controlling your car.
🔮 Widgets Galore
Just like on your iPhone or iPad, you can now access glanceable widgets for weather, calendar, reminders, and Apple Music. These can appear anywhere—even behind the steering wheel.
🎙 Siri That Gets It
Ask Siri to heat the seats or change the radio station. CarPlay Ultra now lets Siri interact with your vehicle’s core systems, not just your phone.
🖥 A New Dashboard Paradigm
The centre screen layout has been reimagined. Apple’s introduced a new “dock-style” app switcher, giving quick access to your most-used apps and settings—clearly taking notes from macOS and even Tesla’s UI.
Where’s It Available Now?
The first production vehicles with CarPlay Ultra are being delivered in North America, specifically Aston Martinmodels such as:
DB12
Vantage
Vanquish
DBX
These are either shipping with CarPlay Ultra pre-installed or eligible for a dealer-installed update.
When’s It Coming to the UK?
Apple hasn’t given a precise UK release date—but let’s be real, it’s not going to be long.
Given Aston Martin is British, and many of the supported manufacturers sell heavily into the UK market, we can reasonably expect CarPlay Ultra to land here within the next 6 to 12 months.
Look out for it in high-end models from:
Jaguar Land Rover
BMW
Audi
Mercedes-Benz
Polestar
Hyundai/Genesis
Volvo
Any car featuring a full digital dash and solid Apple integration is a strong candidate for Ultra.
Which iPhone will support CarPlay Ultra?
To run CarPlay Ultra, you’ll need:
An iPhone 12 or newer
iOS 18.4 or later
A CarPlay Ultra-compatible vehicle (not all digital dashboards qualify)
🧭 If you’re not sure where to start, check out our friends at Cocoon Vehicles with their beginner’s CarPlay guide.
Is This the End of Manufacturer UIs?
Maybe. That’s the direction Apple’s clearly pushing for. CarPlay Ultra eliminates the need to ever see your carmaker’s native system—except maybe in service mode. That’s great if you love Apple’s UX, but potentially worrying if your iPhone’s not in the car or if software hiccups occur.
It also raises questions about data privacy, vehicle control, and how much control third-party software should have in a moving vehicle. Apple insists it’s working closely with carmakers on every aspect of integration—but expect debates to continue.
Final Verdict: Apple Just Made Cars More “iPhone-y” Than Ever
CarPlay Ultra isn’t just a UI refresh. It’s Apple making a serious land grab inside the vehicle space. For fans of Apple’s design and ecosystem, this is a massive step forward—bringing continuity, customisation, and cloud-syncing straight to your dashboard.
For UK drivers, this might be the perfect excuse to consider a new vehicle—especially as more brands announce support over the coming months. Whether you’re a tech tinkerer or a luxury car enthusiast, CarPlay Ultra is one of 2025’s biggest software upgrades on four wheels.
