Aston Martin DB12 S debuts with 700 horsepower from upgraded 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, now the flagship of the DB bloodlineCarbon ceramic brakes save 27kg of unsprung weight while comprehensive chassis upgrades sharpen handling without sacrificing comfortAvailable in both Coupe and Volante forms with deliveries starting Q1 2026, featuring unique S interior trim options and quad exhaust system You know how sometimes a car is already brilliant, already fast enough to make your passengers question their life choices, already good-looking enough to stop traffic? And then the engineers decide that's simply not good enough? That's what's happened here. Aston Martin has taken the DB12, a car we already thought was rather excellent, and turned it into the DB12 S. Which is even more excellent. Apparently. Now, before we dive into the specifics, let's address the elephant in the room.The S tag comes way back from 1953 with the DB3S road racer, and it's been applied to everything from the Vanquish S to the glorious Rapide S. When Aston Martin slaps an 'S' on something, they mean business and with the DB12 S joining the DBX S and Vantage S in the lineup, it's clear that Aston Martin's high-performance 'S' revival is in full swing. Aston Martin DB12 S engine and performance upgrades Let's talk about what matters most; the engine. The DB12 S takes the already formidable 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and gives it a stern talking-to. Power climbs to 700 horsepower at 6000 rpm, which is 20 more horses than the standard DB12. Torque remains at a healthy 800 Newton-meters, delivered between 3000 and 6000 rpm, which means you've got a proper wall of thrust available whenever you need it. Zero to 60 mph now takes just 3.4 seconds, a tenth quicker than before thanks to optimized Launch Control and gearshift times that have been slashed by more than 50 percent. Top speed? A properly unseemly 202 mph. But numbers only tell part of the story. Aston Martin's engineers have recalibrated the throttle pedal to provide a more progressive feel with a new S-specific drive-by-wire map. This gives you, the driver, a greater sense of connection and control, which is engineer-speak for "it now feels absolutely brilliant to drive." The exhaust has been completely rethought too. The DB12 S comes standard with a quad-tailpipe stainless steel sports exhaust system that's been specifically tuned to accentuate engine frequencies throughout the rev range. If you're feeling particularly flush, there's an optional titanium system that amplifies the soundtrack even further, boosting the sound level by 1.5 decibels while saving 11.7 kilograms compared to the steel version. It's louder, lighter, and more expensive. Obviously. The chassis upgrades are equally comprehensive. Carbon ceramic brakes are now standard fitment, measuring 410mm at the front and 360mm at the rear. They offer increased braking performance and thermal capacity while saving a whopping 27 kilograms of unsprung weight compared to steel brakes. That's significant. Less unsprung weight means better ride quality, improved steering feel, and sharper handling. The Bilstein DTX dampers have been recalibrated to improve roll and pitch control, working alongside a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and finessed camber, toe, and castor geometry settings. Aston Martin's chassis engineers have also tuned the steering calibration and electronic rear differential to dial in further connection and response. The result, according to Simon Newton, Aston Martin's Director of Vehicle Performance, is a car that preserves signature levels of refinement while boosting performance and amplifying driver engagement. The DB12 S also gets the next generation of corner braking control system, which uses predictive functions to maintain optimum stability while trail braking into a corner. This allows you to brake later with improved stability, the system providing torque vectoring across the rear axle for predictable, precise cornering behavior whether you're on twisting country roads or a proper racetrack. Visually, the DB12 S makes its intentions clear from the moment you clap eyes on it. At the front, there's a new dual-element splitter and bonnet louvres, both functional and aesthetic. The splitter lowers and widens the visual stance while generating downforce and guiding airflow around the front wheel arches. The bonnet louvres, available in gloss black or optional carbon fiber, extract hot air from the engine bay while giving the DB12 S a more aggressive look. Along the sides, gloss black sill additions continue the line formed by the front splitter, enhancing that ground-hugging stance. And of course, there are S badges on the fenders, hand-made in either bright or dark chrome with red glass enamel, a discreet but enduring mark of performance. The rear is where the DB12 S really makes a statement. A fixed rear spoiler adds drama while increasing high-speed stability, and below sits a new rear diffuser that reduces lift while making space for those signature stacked pairs of exhaust tailpipes, framed within a broader rear bumper for maximum visual impact. Inside, the DB12 S continues the 'S' treatment with distinguishing details unique to the halo model. The knurled metal drive mode rotary controller gets a red anodized finish, which informs the color of the seatbelts, contrast seat welts, contrast stitching, and headrest embroidery. You can specify an Alcantara heated sports steering wheel and the iconic Aston Martin wings applied to the seat headrests using an industry-first technique that combines embossing and debossing for unprecedented precision. Three interior trim environments are available, all featuring S Herringbone quilting with micro-perforations and an Alcantara headlining. Sixteen-way Sport Plus electric front seats come as standard, with optional Carbon Fibre Performance seats for those who want to shed every last gram. So there we have it. The Aston Martin DB12 S, available to order now in both Coupe and Volante forms, with deliveries commencing in Q1 2026. It's faster than the regular DB12, sharper to drive, better looking, and louder. It's the new pinnacle of the Super Tourer concept, a car that can cross continents in supreme comfort while simultaneously being capable of embarrassing proper sports cars on a challenging road. Twenty more horsepower might not sound like much on paper, but when combined with all those chassis upgrades, weight savings, and aerodynamic improvements, the DB12 S becomes something genuinely special. It's proof that sometimes, even when something is already excellent, there's always room for improvement.
