Lotus Enhances In-Car Audio with Apple CarPlay Dolby Atmos Integration

British automaker Lotus is introducing a software update that will enable spatial audio through Apple CarPlay for drivers of its Eletre and Emeya models. The upgrade unlocks the potential of the vehicles’ premium KEF sound system, utilizing 23 speakers to deliver immersive audio experiences via the popular car connectivity platform. To access this feature, users must install the over-the-air update from Lotus and ensure their iPhone is running iOS 18 or later.

The move reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry with manufacturers increasingly prioritizing high-fidelity sound systems and incorporating advanced technologies like Dolby Atmos – Apple’s designation for spatial audio – to elevate the driving experience. Initially popularized for cinematic applications, Dolby Atmos is gaining traction within music and audiobook streaming due to its ability to create a three-dimensional sonic landscape.

While Volvo pioneered integration of Dolby Atmos into vehicle entertainment systems, including an Abbey Road Studios listening mode on select models, other manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi have also embraced the technology. Realizing the full benefits requires both a premium sound system – like KEF’s offering in the Lotus vehicles – and music tracks encoded in Dolby Atmos, readily available through streaming services supporting the format.

The quality of the spatial audio experience can vary depending on the artist’s approach to remixing their work for the format; some productions leverage Atmos to create entirely new sonic textures, while others offer subtle enhancements over traditional stereo recordings.