Aston Martin & Mini join Apple's roster of CarPlay vehicles

Several models from Aston Martin and Mini are now listed as CarPlay-ready on Apple's website, representing the brands' first entries into the platform.

The initial Minis include the 2018 Clubman and 2018 Countryman. Mini previously said that CarPlay-capable vehicles would be coming this quarter, but without offering many more details.

One catch is that when the cars launch, buyers will have to choose "Tech Pack" or "Media Pack XL" upgrades, adding to costs. In exchange, drivers will be able to control their iPhone apps via an 8.8-inch display.

Aston Martin's additions include 2017 models of the Vantage, Vanquish, Rapide, and DB9 Volante, by way of the AMi III infotainment system. On the automaker's website, CarPlay is still labeled as "coming soon."

The additions are almost an anomaly in the context of other recent CarPlay announcements, which have included more affordable vehicles from the likes of Honda and Ford. The technology made its premiere in the luxury world however, the first compatible car being the Ferrari FF.

7 Comments

tzm41 95 comments · 8 Years

About 7 years ago

Great as more carmakers are onboard (not that I can afford AM)...

christopher126 4366 comments · 16 Years

Aston's are 'garage' art.

:)

anome 1545 comments · 16 Years

Just don't hold your breath waiting for James Bond to use an iPhone. I'm sure EON Studios have tied up their deal with Sony for a few more years.

I presume they still make phones, I haven't really checked recently.

douglas bailey 306 comments · 15 Years

Finally MINI. Now get some fully electric cars in Australia and I might come back to you.

NemWan 118 comments · 8 Years

anome said:

Just don't hold your breath waiting for James Bond to use an iPhone. I'm sure EON Studios have tied up their deal with Sony for a few more years.
I presume they still make phones, I haven't really checked recently.

Sony's Bond deal ended with Spectre, though they are competing with other studios to renew it. I'm just assuming the product placement goes hand in hand with that. Even if there's an opening for Apple, it requires a serious commitment to co-branding, something like Apple hasn't done, IIRC, since they were in Independence Day in 1996. From what I've read, it's so competitive, the Bond producers expect and get brands to pay for and produce all of the film's advertising.