A few months ago, Apple introduced CarPlay Ultra, marking the long-anticipated next-generation version of its in-car software. Currently, CarPlay Ultra is available exclusively in newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. However, for those who cannot afford luxury cars priced at around $250,000, Apple plans to extend the software to more affordable vehicles in the future. Apple has mentioned that multiple automakers worldwide are expected to adopt CarPlay Ultra over the next year.
Notable mentions include several Korean brands such as Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Porsche has also confirmed its commitment to integrating CarPlay Ultra into its vehicles. The preview of this next-generation software was first showcased at WWDC 2022, accompanied by a list of automakers committed to implementing the system. This list included manufacturers like Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz, but it has since become outdated.
According to a recent report from the Financial Times, at least five of these automakers, namely Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo, have since announced they will not support CarPlay Ultra. As it stands now, Aston Martin currently supports CarPlay Ultra, while Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and Porsche are set to implement it soon. In contrast, brands like Audi, BMW, and General Motors—who have phased out regular CarPlay in their electric vehicles—are unlikely to adopt the ultra version. There are still several automakers whose plans remain uncertain, including Toyota, Lexus, and Volkswagen.
Meanwhile, brands like Honda, Acura, and Nissan fall into a “maybe” category, indicating potential but unconfirmed support for the new system.
Leave a Reply