Aston Martin Just Made the iPhone Feel Poor—CarPlay Ultra Debuts in DBX and Sportscar Lineup

By Nik Miles | Test Miles

If James Bond had an iPhone, he’d now have to ask Q to update the Aston, not the gadget. Because as of today, Aston Martin has officially become the first automaker in the world to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra—a digital delight so tailored, it practically asks if you’d like your tachometer shaken or stirred.

Yes, you read that right. While other carmakers are still debating over touchscreens vs knobs (spoiler: you need both), Aston Martin is pulling ahead in the infotainment race by turning your iPhone into the co-pilot it always believed itself to be.

Let’s get into it.

Q: What is CarPlay Ultra, and why should drivers care?

At a glance, CarPlay Ultra is Apple’s latest attempt to move from your dashboard to your entire cockpit. And Aston Martin is the only automaker rolling it out first—starting with the DBX, DB12, Vanquish, and Vantage models in the U.S. and Canada.

So what’s the big deal?

Instead of just taking over your center screen with maps and playlists, CarPlay Ultra now controls the entire digital display system—speedo, revs, climate, navigation, widgets, and even vehicle settings. In short, it’s like hiring an interior decorator for your dash who happens to speak fluent iOS.

And of course, it’s wrapped in a bespoke Aston Martin theme, developed in collaboration with Apple. Meaning: the swans have aligned.

Q: Why is Aston Martin doing this—and why now?

Let’s be honest: for years, Aston’s infotainment was, shall we say, a bit of an afterthought. Sure, the leather was sumptuous, and the powertrains could scare small children (in a good way), but the tech? It lagged.

That changed with the in-house infotainment platform launched on the DB12 in 2023. And now, Aston Martin is doubling down on that momentum, partnering with Apple to do what most legacy brands are too slow—or too proud—to do: hand over the interface reins to Cupertino.

Adrian Hallmark, the new CEO, put it best: “Our focus on world-leading performance goes beyond powertrains. It’s about collaboration with the best.” Which is British code for: “We’d rather partner with Apple than keep pretending we’re good at software.”

Q: Is this actually useful—or just Silicon Valley fluff in a Savile Row suit?

Surprisingly, this isn’t just digital garnish. Drivers can now control media, climate, navigation, and more without diving through seven menus or waiting for a laggy OEM system to catch up. Widgets can be added across screens. Maps now show up behind your steering wheel. Siri can open your sunroof (if you say please, presumably).

More importantly, Aston Martin kept the physical controls where they matter: chassis, ESP, HVAC, and gear selection. It’s that sweet balance—Apple logic meets British ergonomics—that sets this apart.

In a sea of screen-only Teslas and touchscreen-dependent EV startups, Aston Martin’s approach feels… dare we say it… mature.

Q: How does this affect everyday drivers—or just Aston’s high society clientele?

Well, unless you’re regularly placing DBX orders between cappuccinos, it might seem a bit out of reach. But here’s the twist: what starts in Aston Martin today trickles into the mainstream tomorrow. That’s been the tech story since the first sat navs and massaging seats. CarPlay Ultra is just the latest, albeit with a silk pocket square and performance tires.

In the short term, it puts Aston back at the forefront of in-cabin tech—a space long dominated by German efficiency and American ambition. In the long term, it signals a wider shift: automakers relinquishing control of infotainment to companies that actually know software.

And that’s not a bad thing.

Q: Is this the future of car UX, or just a one-off flex?

It’s both. It’s a flex because it’s the future.

Aston Martin didn’t just throw a bigger screen in the dash and call it luxury. They partnered with Apple to completely reimagine how the driver interacts with the car. It’s an experience that’s both personal and seamless—without feeling clinical.

There’s a curated elegance to the system. You can theme your gauges, customise wallpapers, integrate your calendar and music without friction—all in a system that looks like it was designed for the Aston, not tacked on at the last minute.

And while it’s only available in the U.S. and Canada for now, Aston plans to expand globally within the next 12 months. So yes, dear Europe, the queue forms behind the velvet rope.

Final Thoughts:

This is not a gimmick. It’s Aston Martin making the iPhone feel luxurious again. And in an era when most infotainment systems still act like moody teenagers—slow, inconsistent, and full of excuses—that’s a refreshing change.

Whether you’re a DBX buyer, a tech snob, or just someone who likes their gadgets well-dressed, CarPlay Ultra is a sign of things to come.

Now if we can just convince Siri to double-clutch.

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