Phone Mirroring to the MAX! Apple CarPlay Ultra Debuts in Aston Martin Vehicles

Aston Martin announced today that it will be the first brand to use Apple CarPlay Ultra, a next-generation phone mirroring technology that allows your iPhone to take over the infotainment and instruments screens in a vehicle. Moreover, Canada and the U.S. (boo!) will be the first markets on earth to get the new technology.

Essentially an expansion of the Apple CarPlay we all know and love, CarPlay Ultra controls every screen in the vehicle so that even the speedometer and tachometer are run through the system. As a result of the added functionality, the new phone mirroring system required lose collaboration between Apple and Aston Martin and can’t simply be copied and pasted into other vehicles’ infotainment systems. Porsche, however, previously announced that it is also working with Apple to allow CarPlay Ultra to run on its vehicles.

In Aston Martins, the new phone mirroring technology has been optimized to run on the automaker’s 10.25-inch touchscreen alongside the automaker’s newly developed operating system (drivers must have an iPhone 12 or later and it must be using iOS 18.54 or later). Drivers can also use Siri and set up widgets on the display that are powered by an iPhone and are also optimized for the vehicle’s screen.

Another big difference between CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is that the new system also offers drivers the ability to control their climate control, radio, and other features. Aston Martin adds that most of these functions can be overridden by physical controls within the vehicle, if an owner prefers that.

Apple notes that it worked closely with Aston Martin to ensure that its version of CarPlay Ultra is aesthetically consistent with the automaker’s design language. However, within that language, owners can choose from a selection of instrument cluster and wallpaper themes to match their tastes.

CarPlay Ultra will launch on all new Aston Martin DBXs, Vantages, Vanquishes, and DB12s in Canada and the U.S. as of today. From there, it will expand to other global markets in the next 12 months. The technology will be available as standard, and will be available as an update in certain existing models in the coming weeks.