CarPlay Ultra appears to be on the verge of expansion. After Apple announced the next generation of its car infotainment system some time ago, there are now concrete indications of its inclusion in a new vehicle later this year. A recent report provides new details about which manufacturers are involved, which models are being considered, and how other automakers, particularly Tesla, are positioning themselves.
Apple officially unveiled CarPlay Ultra last year, initially only in connection with Aston Martin. It represents the most significant evolution of CarPlay to date. The platform was first showcased at WWDC 2022, featuring a new design and considerably deeper integration with vehicle systems. Unlike previous versions of CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra is intended not only for navigation and media but also to manage large portions of the vehicle's display.
Since the announcement, it remained unclear for a long time when and in which cars the system would actually be available. A new report now sheds more light on the matter.
CarPlay Ultra will arrive in a production vehicle in 2026
According to a recent Bloomberg report, CarPlay Ultra will be introduced in at least one new vehicle from a major manufacturer this year. In his Power-On newsletter, Mark Gurman writes that CarPlay Ultra is expected to launch "in at least one major new Hyundai or Kia model in the second half of this year.".
This would make CarPlay Ultra available to a wider market for the first time outside of the exclusive collaboration with Aston Martin. This is an important step for Apple, as Hyundai and Kia are among the world's largest automakers.
Hints about the Hyundai IONIQ 3 EV
The Bloomberg information aligns with earlier reports. The automotive magazine Top Gear reported last year that Hyundai's upcoming IONIQ 3 EV would support CarPlay Ultra. The vehicle is expected to be officially unveiled in April and launched later this year.
Hyundai has yet to officially confirm this. However, should the report prove true, the IONIQ 3 EV would be one of the first mass-market models with CarPlay Ultra and thus an important test case for Apple's new platform.
What CarPlay Ultra has changed technically
CarPlay Ultra differs fundamentally from the previous version of CarPlay. The platform is designed to control multiple displays in the vehicle simultaneously. These include the instrument cluster, central infotainment screens, and additional displays. Information such as speed, navigation, media, climate settings, and vehicle status can be displayed in a unified interface.
Apple is focusing on close integration with the vehicle's software, but still allows manufacturers leeway for brand-specific design. An iPhone remains a prerequisite as the central control and data source.
Tesla and CarPlay: a different approach, not CarPlay Ultra
The Bloomberg report also addresses the situation at Tesla. Gurman had already reported in November that Tesla was actively working on CarPlay integration. According to the latest update, CarPlay is still "in development" at Tesla, and further information is expected in the near future.
It's clear that Tesla doesn't plan to support CarPlay Ultra. Instead, the standard version of CarPlay will be integrated. This won't take over the entire display, but will run as a separate window within the existing Tesla software. Both user interfaces will exist in parallel. Tesla also plans to support wireless CarPlay.
CarPlay Ultra on the verge of a breakthrough in the mass market
CarPlay Ultra is slowly taking shape. With its planned launch in at least one new Hyundai or Kia model in the second half of the year, Apple's next-generation CarPlay is finally within reach for the mass market. Indications pointing to the Hyundai IONIQ 3 EV are mounting, although official confirmation is still pending.
At the same time, it's clear that not all manufacturers are taking the same approach. While Apple is focusing on maximum integration with CarPlay Ultra, Tesla is pursuing a different strategy with a limited version of classic CarPlay. The coming months will likely be crucial in determining how quickly and widely CarPlay Ultra actually establishes itself in the automotive market. (Image: Apple)
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