Carplay FAQ's
What is Apple Carplay/ Android Auto and what does it do?
It allows you to connect your iPhone or Android phone to your car and display a simplified interface on its infotainment system. You can stream music, turn text messages to voice and use your navigation apps amongst others.
What apps work with Apple Carplay/Android auto?
Phone, Messages from SMS or Whatsapp, Apple Music, Waze, Google Maps, Sygic, TomTom, Spotify and more. There are more being added all the time, Apple and Android Auto websites will have a comprehensive list.
What is included in our Apple CarPlay/Android Auto kit?
We supply the module to convert the signal from your phone to one the screen can understand and controls to allow you to operate the kit in the car without touching your phone. We supply the Higher Definition screen (vehicle age dependent) affording you twice the resolution that is currently available on the early (2004-2011) Aston navigation screens. Plug and Play wiring harnesses allowing straight forward connection to the car’s power supplies. We 3d print and leather line a new ashtray aperture to replace the existing one, this hides all of the controls for your new CarPlay/Android system. Audio interface module to utilise the existing audio system (for earlier car’s without an AUX socket under the armrest), switches, USB cables and any additional connectors, indeed everything required for the installation is included in the kit.
Can I add front and rear parking cameras to my car?
Yes, either on their own (we do change the screen over to our Higher Definition unit at the same time) or when you have our CarPlay/Android system. You can also have just the front or just the rear. We can also add a front camera option to the AMI III system on 2017/2018 VH cars, using the factory controls.
Can I have premium sound on my Vantage (2005-2018)?
The Vantage was launched with two different audio levels, 160W and 700W. The 160W had speakers in the doors and a 100W Sub speaker behind the seat on the left side of the car. The 700W or Premium Sound System came with the same door speakers, but it added rear speakers, a front centre (surround sound), an upgraded Sub Speaker (200W from 100W) and twin amplifiers in the right side for the boot or between the seats on a Roadster. We can upgrade the basic 160W system to the factory 700W system using all the factory components, with no visual changes to the car.
I dont see anything listed for my 2016 or 2017 Aston Martin?
Model-year 2016–2017 Aston Martins (Vantage, V12 Vantage, Rapide S, DB9 GT, and Vanquish) use the later AMI II / AMI III infotainment platform, which is completely different from the earlier Volvo- and Garmin-based systems covered by this CarPlay/Android Auto upgrade. These vehicles are not compatible with the CarPlay HD kit on this page.
AMI II/III cars require a separate OEM Skyships AMI III upgrade, which is supplied as a different kit.
If your car is 2016–2017, please contact us for the correct upgrade options.
Can I have premium sound on my Vantage (2018 on)?
We can now offer our own upgrade to the second century Vantage using aftermarket components from Audison. We change the front door speakers and the tweeters in the dash tops to ones with a higher dynamic range. Fit the factory sub speaker box behind the seat on the left side, but change the speaker inside the enclosure to give us greater power and presence and team this with a digital sound processor and amplifier feeding from the existing stereo system. This is then tuned to the interior of the car, with the correct time delay for each of the speakers with reference to the driver location to ensure top quality sound.
How long do jobs take?
Largely depends on the job. If it’s CarPlay/Android Auto, then 3-4 hours is sufficient. If we are adding cameras then another hour and a half or so. If it’s Premium sound then from 2-4 days, depending on the car and the level of upgrade we’re undertaking. Just a reverse camera can be from 2-3 hours.
