LONDON: Aston Martin has become the first carmaker to equip its vehicles with Apple CarPlay Ultra, delivering an enhanced in-car experience that merges the marque’s performance DNA with familiar iPhone functionality.

The system debuted yesterday on new orders of the DBX super-SUV and all core sportscar models in the United States and Canada, and will be offered as an over-the-air update in the coming weeks to existing vehicles fitted with Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment platform.

Apple CarPlay Ultra builds on the existing CarPlay interface by extending real-time data and graphics across both the central 10.25-inch touchscreen and the instrument cluster.

Drivers may personalise their layout, selecting from multiple speedometer and tachometer dial designs, full-screen navigation or media views, and custom colour themes and wallpapers. Widgets drawn from the iPhone can also be added to provide at-a-glance information.

Vehicle functions such as radio and climate control remain accessible via the touchscreen, physical buttons or Siri voice commands.

Essential mechanical switches—for gearshift modes, drive settings, heating and ventilation—are retained alongside override buttons for chassis modes, stability control, exhaust, lane-assist and park-distance control, ensuring tactile access to frequently used features.

Aston Martin’s in-house infotainment system, first launched on the DB12 in 2023, underpins the integration.

The bespoke platform affords full online connectivity, capacitive multi-touch gesture control and a Pure Black display, enabling seamless collaboration with Apple on CarPlay Ultra. Customers require an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or above for compatibility.

Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark said the collaboration with Apple exemplifies the brand’s commitment to combining high performance with world-leading technology.

He said CarPlay Ultra enhances personalisation and functionality, reinforcing Aston Martin’s position at the forefront of in-vehicle infotainment.

Apple’s vice president of worldwide product marketing, Bob Borchers, described CarPlay Ultra as “the next generation of CarPlay,” designed to offer a smarter, safer interface that retains each manufacturer’s unique design language. He confirmed further roll-outs with additional automakers are planned.

CarPlay Ultra initially supports the DB12 Coupe and Volante, Vantage Coupe and Roadster, Vanquish Coupe and Volante, DBX707 and DBX S.

Aston Martin intends to expand availability to all global markets within 12 months. New vehicle orders in the US and Canada will include CarPlay Ultra as standard, while existing customers with compatible models will receive the update through official dealers.