![Next-generation new CarPlay](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/new-carplay-design0001.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600)
Apple's CarPlay platform has become ubiquitous since it was first released. This applies to most new cars on the market today, and for good reason. Because it's one of the first things people look for when buying a new car.
At WWDC in June 2022, Apple announced “the next generation of CarPlay.” This new CarPlay interface is coming to new cars this year and will be a big change.
Who will be the first automaker to sign on to support next-generation CarPlay? Porsche and Aston Martin. Everything we know is here.
A completely new design for CarPlay
CarPlay was originally released as “iOS in the Car” as part of iOS 7 and was rebranded as CarPlay shortly thereafter. CarPlay's interface hasn't changed much since the rebrand. The biggest design change came in iOS 13. Apple has introduced a new dashboard interface with various “cards” for apps like Maps, Music, and more.
But the “next generation” of CarPlay will completely overhaul the CarPlay interface. We haven't had a chance to try out the new CarPlay design, but we did get a glimpse at it via Apple images from WWDC.
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/new-carplay-design0004.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
The new design still uses the app icon grid as the primary user interface element, but there are a number of other changes surrounding that app grid as well. It has a split-view style interface for displaying multiple apps at the same time and a dock at the bottom for quick access to recently used apps.
But where the new CarPlay interface really shines is in how it lets you control your car's entire infotainment system. This includes the entire center console display as well as other displays such as the display behind the steering wheel.
Apple explains:
CarPlay has fundamentally changed the way people interact with their vehicles, and the next generation of CarPlay takes it even further by tightly integrating with automotive hardware. CarPlay can deliver content to multiple screens in the car, providing a unified and consistent experience.
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/new-carplay-design0003.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
One of Apple's mockups for the new design uses a car similar in style to the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Basically, there is one large display that extends from behind the steering wheel towards the passenger seat. The interface looks completely modular, with a variety of tiles and widgets for apps like Weather, HomeKit, and more.
Another mockup (at the top of this story) shows a car very similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The car features a vertical central display and a smaller instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
In this image you can see how the CarPlay interface adapts to different screen sizes. This is where the “modularity” of widgets and cards comes into play. But the key to this new design is completely Replaces the car manufacturer's software interface.
Tighter integration with the car
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/new-carplay-design0000.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
For CarPlay to take over the entire in-car experience, it must have access to all of the car's features and functions. With that in mind, the “next generation” of CarPlay will provide access to a much wider range of car features than ever before. Apple says this is achieved by the iPhone communicating with the car's real-time systems.
This includes climate control, fuel and battery charge levels, radio controls, instrument cluster data, and more. Apple says, “CarPlay seamlessly renders speed, fuel level, temperature, and more on your dashboard.” “Tight integration with the car allows users to do things like control the radio or change the cabin temperature directly through CarPlay.”
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/new-carplay-design0007.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
Think of it this way. Everything that previously required you to use the car's native interface is now fully integrated with CarPlay itself. In an ideal implementation, this would mean: Only Interact with CarPlay.
Design customization
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/02/new-carplay-design0005.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1000)
All this data makes the aforementioned design changes make much more sense. You can personalize your driving experience by choosing from a variety of gauge cluster designs and managing the layout of the instrument panel itself. Apple says it has carefully crafted a variety of dashboard designs, “ranging from modern to traditional.”
Apple also says there will be a variety of layout options for another level of customization. You can also choose custom fonts, font sizes, and font colors to suit different aspects of your car's interface.
At the same time, the CarPlay widget shows information from apps like music and weather at a glance.
First car with next-generation CarPlay
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Aston-Martin-CarPlay-2.webp?w=1024)
Apple first announced this next-generation CarPlay platform at WWDC 2022, promising that the first vehicle announcements will happen before the end of 2023.
Not surprisingly, in December 2023, Apple announced its first two partners for the next generation of CarPlay: Porsche and Aston Martin. Both automakers are committed to launching the next generation of CarPlay sometime in 2024, but no further details are available yet. Aston Martin has revealed that its DB12 sports car will be at least one of the cars it launches with next-generation CarPlay this year.
![](https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/carplay-porsche-2.jpg-2.webp?w=1024)
Who else supports the next generation of CarPlay?
In addition to Porsche and Aston Martin, car manufacturers that have signed on to support this new CarPlay interface include:
- land rover
- Mercedes-Benz
- lincoln
- Audi
- volvo
- Honda
- nissan
- ford
- jaguar
- Acura
- Polar Star
- infinity
- renault
But one thing to remember is that the adoption and implementation details of this new CarPlay are out of Apple's control. Ultimately, it's up to each automaker and their own schedule to roll out a new CarPlay design. And most automakers have been quiet about their plans so far.
Apple said it would share “more information about the next-generation CarPlay” ahead of its official launch later this year. The design Apple showed off at WWDC was a “sneak peek,” so there may be changes to the final released design.
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