Next-Generation CarPlay Images With Audi Logo Appear in EU Database

Apple this month filed next-generation CarPlay images with the EU's Intellectual Property Office, as it seeks to protect the design of the upcoming software system there. It is yet another sign that next-generation CarPlay might finally be nearing launch, after a few redesigned icons for the system showed up in iOS 18.2 beta code earlier this month.

Next Generation CarPlay Porsche 1Porsche's preview of next-generation CarPlay from December 2023

The images show various next-generation CarPlay instrument cluster and interface designs, including a few with what appears to be the logo for German automaker Audi. When it first previewed next-generation CarPlay in June 2022, Apple said Audi was committed to offering it, but the automaker has yet to confirm any specific plans.

Next Generation CarPlay EU Image FilingsA few of the next-generation CarPlay images filed in the EU

The database entries were discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Apple has already shown off what next-generation CarPlay looks like several times, so the images do not show anything we have not seen before, but the timing of the filings is notable. Apple's website continues to say that the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay support will "arrive in 2024," but it has yet to provide a more specific timeframe. Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay vehicle designs in December 2023, but neither automaker has released any vehicles with support yet.

With just over a month left in the year, some are beginning to wonder if Apple will still meet its stated 2024 timeframe for next-generation CarPlay. So, it is reassuring that Apple is still working towards a launch behind the scenes.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

KrisLord Avatar
16 months ago
For all the talk on interfaces in modern cars - if a manufacturer just got on with implementing this new Apple CarPlay it would be a huge selling point.

Every car review moans about the poor software and interface design.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carlson-online Avatar
16 months ago
The images need swapping around.

The article is about the audi logo yet the first thing you see is a Porsche steering wheel
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jandalf Avatar
16 months ago
Am I the only one who thinks going at 205 km/h and fumbling around with Car Play is not a good match (or thoughtful ad)?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sahajesh Avatar
16 months ago

Am I the only one who thinks going at 205 km/h and fumbling around with Car Play is not a good match (or thoughtful ad)?
Why are you fiddling with anything non-essential at that speed?

Bad workman etc.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
16 months ago

The images need swapping around.

The article is about the audi logo yet the first thing you see is a Porsche steering wheel
It's a stylistic choice, as the database images are ugly. I added a caption to the Porsche image to avoid any confusion.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erihp Avatar
16 months ago
physical buttons please
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)