Aston Martin Leads With Apple CarPlay Ultra for Bespoke Drive
Aston Martin delivers CarPlay Ultra before any other manufacturer, fusing its renowned high-performance engineering with Apple’s most advanced in-car iPhone platform to create a seamless, personalised driving experience. CarPlay Ultra streams real-time information across the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster, allowing drivers to select bespoke dial designs, switch full-screen maps or media at will, and match colours and wallpapers to the cabin’s distinctive aesthetic. Owners control radio, climate, chassis, and more directly through CarPlay Ultra using touch, tactile switches or Siri, while iPhone-powered widgets sit perfectly within Aston Martin’s pure-black display for instant, glanceable updates.
“Aston Martin is delighted to have collaborated with Apple and to be the first to launch CarPlay Ultra. As a Brand, our focus on world-leading performance goes beyond the traditional attributes of powertrains, dynamic performance and craftsmanship. The integration of CarPlay Ultra is a clear example of our dedication to collaborating with the best companies in the world to bring unique experiences and in-vehicle capabilities to our customers. Building on our in-house state-of-the-art infotainment system, CarPlay Ultra will provide additional functionality and personalisation opportunities which place Aston Martin at the forefront of infotainment in the sector,” states CEO Adrian Hallmark.
Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice-president of Worldwide Product Marketing, adds: “iPhone users love CarPlay and it has changed how people interact with their vehicles. With CarPlay Ultra, together with automakers, we are reimagining the in-car experience and making it even more unified and consistent. The next generation of CarPlay gives drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhone in the car, deeply integrating with the vehicle while maintaining the very best of the automaker. We are thrilled to begin rolling out CarPlay Ultra with Aston Martin, with more manufacturers to come.”
Aston Martin’s bespoke infotainment system, unveiled on the DB12 in 2023, provides full online connectivity through its pure-black capacitive screen while retaining physical selectors for essential operations such as gear, drive mode, heating and ventilation. Override switches for chassis, ESP, exhaust, lane assist, and park distance control stay within easy reach, balancing tactile feedback with digital elegance.
CarPlay Ultra launches first in the USA and Canada on the DBX, Vantage, DB12, and Vanquish. It will ship as standard on all new orders from today and roll out as an over-the-air update for existing next-generation infotainment models within weeks. The feature will reach global markets over the next 12 months and requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.54 or newer, further cementing Aston Martin’s position at the forefront of luxury automotive technology.