Aston getting Apple CarPlay ULTRA - Helpful or Sinister?

[VantageHead]

Folks may have received an email from Aston Martin today announcing Apple CarPlay ULTRA coming initially to DBX S. Takes control of more than Nav & Infotainment. Here’s the details in the email;



And here’s a close up of one of the interface pages (here showing control of HVAC);



There’s a good explanatory video by the Top Gear YouTube channel;



Helpful asset or sinister hindrance? Do you want another company taking over control of your car’s user interface? Android users may be relieved to hear that there’s nothing for them (yet!).

I’m sure (as with all early releases of software) that there will be initial bugs and glitches. You need minimum of iPhone 12 and iOS 18.4, and the system relies on a wireless connection.

Apparently this is coming to other manufacturers soon……

[Mammasaid]

Being discussed here already

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[CountyLines]

Sinister?

[VantageHead]

CountyLines said:

Sinister?

As you’ll hear from the video, not all companies are happy with Apple taking over all their screens on their cars - the example cited is Ola Källenius at Mercedes who said a ‘big fat NO’!

[Davil]

VantageHead said:

As you’ll hear from the video, not all companies are happy with Apple taking over all their screens on their cars - the example cited is Ola Källenius at Mercedes who said a ‘big fat NO’!

His customers might disagree. I can’t think of a single manufacturer that produces good software. Mercedes is horrendous. BMW used to be good but the latest is the stuff of nightmares.

Great PR coup for Aston as launch partner. The DBX is everywhere in my feeds and the perception that it has outdated tech is now blown into the weeds. Very clever marketing.

I suspect the venn diagram of people buying a new Aston and using an Android device is two distinct circles as with that platform users are usually either cheap or some sort of unhinged zealot, mainly the former.

[dbs2000]

I saw this too, I’m very happy for AM to now be leading the way with their in car software. They made a huge leap from the previous generations with infotainment and with this, they now have the best in the world.

[Mammasaid]

Davil said:

I suspect the venn diagram of people buying a new Aston and using an Android device is two distinct circles as with that platform users are usually either cheap or some sort of unhinged zealot, mainly the former.

I would presume that, like with Android Automotive, provision is made for Android users.

Oh, and 2007 is calling, they'd like their iSheep attitude back. Android is neither cheap (unless you want it to be, unlike Apple) or just for geeks.

[Graze01]

looks brilliant - Davil wonder if it can be fitted to 2018-23 cars?

Graze

[VantageHead]

Just heard from my AML MD that CarPlay Ultra will be available exclusively for dealer install on the 2025 model ‘new new’ Vantage from 17th Oct 2025 with DB12 ‘TBA’. The bulletin from AML didn’t mention if there was a charge applicable for this upgrade.

He did mention that the Apple CarPlay Ultra upgrade was specifically designed for the current range of Astons fitted with the touch-screen interface and in-house developed informatics (not the previous generation based on the old Mercedes- based MBUX system). If you look at the end of the video (14:46 mins) above you’ll hear Marek Reichman (AML Chief Creative Officer) explain how AML worked closely in partnership with Apple to tailor this specifically for the current cars.