Apple’s new interface is slicker, smarter, and more British than a pot of Earl Grey in an Aston Martin.
Highlights:
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Launches with 2025 Aston Martins (ordered on or after 15 May 2025).
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Compatible with iPhones 12 and up, running iOS 18.5.
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Retrofittable on older 2025 Astons and 2024 DB12s.
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India rollout TBD – but consider this your official heads-up.
What's New?
Apple has decided to stop playing co-pilot and now wants to be your digital chauffeur with CarPlay Ultra. This latest version doesn't just commandeer the infotainment screen—it also takes over your digital gauge cluster. Think Google Maps in the middle and RPMs on the side, all served on an Apple-themed silver platter.
Interface Upgrades:
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Familiar CarPlay layout, now with swipeable widget pages.
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New tiles: Vehicle settings, Radio, and Climate Control.
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Adjust everything—from your cabin temperature to your FM station—without ever leaving CarPlay.
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Still plays nice with native systems, thanks to pop-up overlays. Less digging through menus, more doing.
Smart and Stylish:
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Local processing by your car for faster response.
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Overlay pop-ups when you need native controls—think of it as a guest taking over your kitchen but still using your good china.
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Multiple gauge cluster themes, some minimal, others full-on Jetsons.
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Yes, the Aston badge and “Handbuilt in Great Britain” proudly remain. Britishness preserved.
Drawbacks (Minor, But Worth a Note):
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Initial connection can take up to 30 seconds while your phone downloads a car-specific software bundle.
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Smaller infotainment screens, like the 10.3-inch unit in the DBX 707, lose song info when calendar events pop up. Your playlist may disappear like your unread WhatsApp messages.
Requirements:
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iPhone 12 or newer.
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iOS 18.5 minimum.
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Aston Martin 2025 model or a 2024 DB12 with a visit to your dealership’s tech bay.
And In Rupees?
You won’t pay Apple directly—this is bundled with the car. But consider the DBX 707’s price tag hovering around ₹4 crore. That’s a lot for better widgets and a sharper UI—but then again, you’re also buying 707 bhp and 900 Nm of torque, so what’s a little Apple polish on top?
What’s Next?
Apple has confirmed tie-ups with Porsche, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. So if your dream car ends in “GT” or “Turbo,” chances are CarPlay Ultra is already en route.
In the meantime, Aston Martin drivers can bask in their early-adopter glory—Bluetooth synced, widgets organised, and dashboard looking like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
