Aston Martin’s famous ‘DB’ lineage of grand tourers has a new halo model, following the launch of the DB12 S. Sharper, more aggressive and more powerful than the standard DB12, it sits alongside the Vantage S and DBX S at the apex of Aston’s series production range.
Positioned to compete with the Ferrari Amalfi and Bentley Continental GT, the DB12 S is the most powerful DB-series GT to date, squeezing 692bhp and 590lb ft from its Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 – around 20bhp more than the DB12.
The more potent engine should deliver a scintillating soundtrack thanks to a new stainless steel exhaust system. A lightweight titanium version is available as an option and sheds 11.7kg from the car’s 1820kg kerbweight.
As with the standard car, power goes to the rear axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Calibration changes mean the car switches ratios 50 percent faster than before, marginally trimming the 0-62mph time to 3.5 seconds. Top speed is 202mph.
Complementing the powertrain, the chassis gets revised camber, toe and caster settings, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and software recalibration for the e-LSD and Bilstein DTX dampers.
Sitting behind the 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 5S rubber are carbon ceramic brakes that provide a useful 27kg reduction in unsprung weight. The next generation of corner braking control works alongside the brake slip control system to shuffle braking forces between the wheels for optimal stability and added agility.
Setting the DB12 S apart aesthetically is a ducktail bootlid spoiler, stacked exhaust tops, 21-inch alloy wheels, ‘S’ badges and a deeper, dual-element front splitter. Functional bonnet louvres help to cool the engine bay, while the splitter and sill extensions tidy up the airflow around the front arches and reduce aerodynamic lift. The ducktail spoiler and new diffuser do much of the heavy lifting from an aerodynamic perspective at the rear of the car.
Inside, the DB12 S features a red anodised drive-mode rotary dial, alongside colour-matched seatbelts, seat welts and headrest embroidery. The cabin is offered in three themes: Accelerate in leather and Alcantara; Inspire S in semi-aniline leather and Alcantara; Inspire S full semi-aniline with S-Herringbone quilting, micro-perfs and an Alcantara headlining. Sixteen-way Sports Plus seats are standard fit, while Carbonfibre Performance seats are available as an optional extra.
Both the Aston Martin DB12 S coupé and Volante are available to order now. Prices start from £220,000 and deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
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