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Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

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Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles.

CarPlay-Ultra-Climate-Controls.jpg

CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust the color scheme. To learn more, read our coverage of Apple's announcement.

Starting today, CarPlay Ultra is available in newly-ordered Aston Martin vehicle models in the U.S. and Canada, and it will be rolling out in select existing Aston Martin vehicle models through a software update in the coming weeks.

Fortunately, if you cannot afford a $250,000 luxury vehicle from Aston Martin, CarPlay Ultra will eventually be available in more affordable vehicles.

Apple said "many" other automakers around the world plan to offer CarPlay Ultra within the next year, including the following three Korean brands:
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • Genesis
Apple first previewed next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ at WWDC 2022, and at the time it shared a long list of automakers that were committed to offering the software system. The list is nearly three years old, however, so it might not be entirely accurate anymore.

The list was as follows:
  • Acura
  • Audi
  • Ford
  • Honda
  • Infiniti
  • Jaguar
  • Land Rover
  • Lincoln
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Nissan
  • Polestar
  • Porsche
  • Renault
  • Volvo
Porsche previewed its next-generation CarPlay instrument cluster design in late 2023, but the automaker has not provided an update since then.



Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz leadership has since expressed a lack of willingness to let Apple essentially take over its entire software experience.

We will provide coverage of CarPlay Ultra vehicle announcements as they happen.

Article Link: Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/15/carplay-ultra-committed-automakers/
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I’m glad that Volvo is going to be one of the first car companies to support this awesome new version of CarPlay!

Volvo was actually one of the very first car companies to support CarPlay (when CarPlay was first introduced) back in 2015:

Volvo's First CarPlay Vehicle in the U.S. is the 2016 XC90, Available Now

After long promising to implement CarPlay support in its vehicles, Volvo recently announced that the new 2016 XC90 is the company's first...
www.macrumors.com
 
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Will there be a way to at least limit it to a vehicle’s main infotainment screen? There’s no way I would want CarPlay dominating my entire control panel. And yet, I need to use it sometimes. If I couldn’t limit it to one screen, it would be a big enough issue for me to scuttle purchasing a given vehicle.
 
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Aston Martin were running at least one, often two generations old Mercedes Benz infotainment for a long time (and it was a god awful system, even when it was the latest MB offering!). It makes perfect sense for a company like that to do this. I can also see why Ford, BMW, MB etc would be less interested. I can see them going as far as what I'll call "2nd gen CarPlay". So for example the Apple Maps in the dashboard, which the latest BMWs can all do. But as for going further, that seems less likely for some of the bigger players. As to why the bigger Korean players are doing it... That one I don't really know. Perhaps they are just less attached to the internal UX of their cars!
 
jayducharme said:
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are all the same company. So basically, the new CarPlay is currently confirmed on models from two companies. I'm sure GM will jump on board. :rolleyes:
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That’s like saying Toyota and Lexus are doing it. Unfortunately General Motors is pushing away from CarPlay and I believe Stellantis/CDJR is as well.
 
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Unggoy Murderer said:
Such a dumb user-hostile decision.

If there are any auto-makers reading this, take heed: I will not buy a car in the future unless it has CarPlay.
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I would’ve agreed with you before last year but I have since bought a car without CarPlay.

I’m not saying I don’t want it but when buying a car you have to look at the entire package. If it gets high scores in everything, but that one item it’s hard to say I’m going to buy another car with lower scores in everything else just because it has CarPlay. That’s just my perspective but I really hope car manufacturers give consumers the choice to have CarPlay
 
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I’m glad to hear it’s finally coming. As unlikely as it is, I’m still hoping that my 2024 VW could be upgraded to use it. I only buy a car every 10-15 years and this thing is 6 months old so it’s going to be a LONG time before I get to experience this if not lol. It has the fully digital instrument cluster, so it should technically be possible.
 
I have plenty of time to choose my next car. My Subaru PHEV I bought in 2019 still only has less than 20,000 miles on it thanks to COVID and retirment (which happened simultaneously).
 
xmarcuswildx said:
My question is… will it be new vehicles or come as an update?
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How many vehicles have the capability of OTA updates? The majority don’t have this. That means the manufacturer would have to supply dealers with update software and they would have to manually update each vehicle. I don’t see that happening ever. Car manufacturers do this to encourage people to buy new cars.
 
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contacos said:
I don't think these kind of people even drive themselves anymore so they will never even get to experience it 😅
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While these types of cars might not be daily drivers, the owners do drive them. I see and speak to them at car events like Cars and Coffee.
 
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