► DB12 S joins upgraded Vantage and DBX
► Power up by 20bhp
► Handling and weight also improved
You’re looking at the Aston Martin DB12 S, Gaydon’s ultimate version of its DB12 flagship. Featuring an increase in performance, a reduction in weight and with more customisation possibilities than before, it joins the DBX S and the Vantage S in Aston’s new line-up of range-toppers.
‘The technology we introduced with the DB12 now allows us exceptional scope to explore a new depth of character and capability within the same vehicle platform,’ said Aston Martin’s director of vehicle performance, Simon Newton.
‘With DB12 S we have carefully engineered a host of detailed changes, which, preserve signature levels of refinement, boost vehicle performance and amplify driver engagement. Having added this greater dynamic and performance bandwidth to DB12 S, we believe this elevates the Super Tourer ethos to a thrilling new level.’
More power and less weight. The 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 of the base car has been retained, but it now makes 690bhp at 6000 revs, a 20bhp increase over the previous car. At the same time, it produces 590 lb fts of torque between 3000 and 6000 revs for more consistent pull through the gears.
The launch control system has also been tweaked for gear shifts that promises to be twice as fast. Throw in the power and the DB12 S’ 0-62mph sprint is 0.1 seconds faster than before, taking just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 202mph and a new S model-specific drive-by-wire should make everything up until that point sharper and more precise than previously.
A new quad tail pipe system has also been tuned to improve the soundtrack from the DB12 S’ more powerful engine, and it’s up to 1.5dB louder. Pleasingly, the system also reduces overall weight by 11.7kg compared to the previous solution.
To account for the extra performance Gaydon’s engineers have had a look at the handling, too. The Bilstein BTX have been remapped for a sportier response, and they now work with a stiffer and roll bar and other geometry changes. You also now get carbon ceramic brakes as standard; 410mm diameter on the front and 360mm at the rear. And despite the size they save 27kg in unsprung weight compared to the steel ones.
On the outside the S gets more aggressive bodywork including a new front splitter and bonnet louvres, as well as lots of S badges, of course. Inside you can opt for more options than before, such as Alcantara sports seats or even a more hardcore carbonfibre performance unit.
Orders begin in Q1 of 2026.
Curtis Moldrich is CAR magazine’s Digital Editor and has worked for the brand for the past five years. He’s responsible for online strategy, including CAR’s website, social media channels such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, and helps on wider platform strategy as CAR magazine branches out on to Apple News+ and more.
By Curtis Moldrich
CAR's Digital Editor, F1 and sim-racing enthusiast. Partial to clever tech and sports bikes