Aston Martin has never been a brand to rest on its laurels, and the new DB12 S stands as proof. Building on the acclaimed DB12 Super Tourer, the DB12 S doesn’t just turn the knob up; it detonates the scale altogether. With 690hp, a sharper chassis, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a re-sculpted aerodynamic form, this is the most powerful and focused DB ever made, a car that captures both the lineage and the future of Aston Martin performance.
The Haloed ‘S’ Suffix
The ‘S’ suffix isn’t new to Aston Martin loyalists. Since the DB3S of 1953, the letter has marked the most potent, driver-oriented derivatives in the brand’s stable — from the Vanquish S of 2004 and 2016 to the V12 Vantage S and Rapide S. Now, the DB12 S carries that emblem with renewed purpose, evolving the Super Tourer concept into something sharper, faster, and more visceral.
Heart of a Super Tourer
At the core of the DB12 S lies Aston Martin’s hand-assembled 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, now uprated to produce 690hp at 6,000rpm and 800Nm of torque between 3,000 and 6,000rpm. That’s a 20hp increase over the standard DB12, pushing the car to 325km/h and cutting the 0–100km/h sprint to just 3.4 seconds in the Coupé and 3.5 seconds in the Volante.
Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via an eight-speed rear-mounted automatic transmission connected through a carbon-fibre prop shaft. Revised calibration trims gearshift times by more than 50 per cent, while an S-specific throttle map and re-engineered launch control amplify responsiveness and driver feedback.
The soundtrack is equally spectacular, courtesy of a quad-tailpipe stainless-steel sports exhaust, fine-tuned for richer harmonics. For those who live by decibels, an optional titanium system raises the pitch by 1.5 dB while trimming 11.7 kg from the rear.
Engineering and Dynamics
Performance is only as good as the chassis beneath it, and Aston’s engineers have gone all-in. The Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers now feature bespoke software that tightens roll and pitch control, complemented by a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and revised camber, toe, and caster geometry. The result is a sharper front-end bite and a more communicative steering feel.
A recalibrated electronic rear differential (E-diff) allows more precise torque distribution, giving drivers the confidence to get on the throttle earlier through corners. Five selectable drive modes: Wet, GT, Sport, Sport+, and Individual, tailor the car’s personality from a calm continental cruiser to a back-road predator.
Braking is now handled by Carbon Ceramic Brakes, standard for the first time on a DB. Measuring 410mm (front) and 360mm (rear), they reduce unsprung mass by 27kg, improving both ride comfort and handling finesse. They also bring immense stopping power and fade resistance, aided by the next-generation Corner Braking Control and Integrated Brake Slip Control systems. The CBC’s predictive algorithms help maintain tighter cornering lines under trail braking, while Dynamic Torque Vectoring ensures laser-sharp agility on winding roads or circuit tarmac alike.
Design and Aerodynamics
Visually, the DB12 S is unmistakable, more muscular, more aggressive, yet still dripping with Aston elegance. The new dual-element front splitter widens the stance and improves downforce, while bonnet louvres (available in gloss black or 2×2 twill carbon fibre) vent hot air from the engine bay.
Gloss-black sill extensions run along the flanks, connecting the aerodynamics front to rear, while a fixed deck-lid spoiler and redesigned rear diffuser optimise airflow and stability at speed. Four stacked exhausts punctuate the broader bumper — a visual and aural declaration that this is no ordinary grand tourer.
Aston’s artistry shines in the details: hand-finished forged ‘S’ badges in bright or dark chrome with red glass enamel, 21-inch wheels wrapped in bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tyres, and optional carbon-fibre packs for both upper and lower body sections.
Inside the DB12 S
The cabin continues Aston Martin’s recent design renaissance. Three interior themes define the ambience, each featuring new S Herringbone quilting and micro-perforations.
A red-anodised drive-mode controller on the centre console cues the car’s dynamic intent, echoed in the contrast stitching, seatbelts, and embroidered headrests. Standard 16-way Sport Plus seats deliver long-haul comfort and lateral grip, while an optional Carbon Fibre Performance seat trims weight and hugs tighter.
A heated Alcantara steering wheel, hand-stitched dash panels, and a choice of open-pore woods or satin carbon inlays make the DB12 S’s cabin feel genuinely bespoke — unmistakably British yet resolutely modern.
The Aston Martin DB12 S
In an era where the line between supercar and GT is blurring, the Aston Martin DB12 S lands squarely in the sweet spot. It’s faster, more dynamic, and more finely honed than any DB before it, yet it retains the civility and craftsmanship that define a true Grand Tourer.
