The roar of the engine echoes like a Bond theme, the silhouette cuts through the air with elegant menace, and the cabin whispers of bespoke craftsmanship fit for the world’s most enigmatic spy. Aston Martin has always been more than a carmaker; it is a curator of cinematic allure and unbridled performance. With the debut of the DB12 S, the marque takes that legacy to thrilling new heights, fusing power, precision, and elegance in a way only Aston Martin can. This is not just a car. This is the ultimate grand tourer reimagined for the modern agent of speed.
Aston Martin has officially raised the bar with the unveiling of its latest halo model, the DB12 S, a car that builds upon the exhilarating DNA of the acclaimed DB12 to deliver an even more potent and dynamically charged Super Tourer experience. Positioned as the new pinnacle of Aston Martin’s grand touring lineage, the DB12 S joins the DBX S and Vantage S, continuing the marque’s storied tradition of applying the revered “S” suffix to its highest performing models—a legacy that began in 1953 with the iconic DB3S road racer. Over the decades, the “S” badge has adorned some of the brand’s most memorable creations: the first and second generation Vanquish S, V8 and V12 Vantage S, and the elegant Rapide S. Now, in 2025, the DB12 S takes its place among these legends, pushing boundaries in both performance and refinement.
Power Meets Precision
At the heart of the DB12 S lies an upgraded version of Aston Martin’s formidable 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, now producing a mighty 700 PS at 6000 rpm—a 20 PS increase—along with 800 Nm of torque between 3000 and 6000 rpm. The result is electrifying: relentless acceleration, razor-sharp response, and a top speed of 202 mph.
Launch Control has been fine-tuned for faster, more decisive shifts, cutting gearshift times by over 50 percent and shaving the 0–60 mph time down to a mere 3.4 seconds. Aston Martin engineers have also re-calibrated the throttle response with a bespoke S-specific drive-by-wire system, ensuring progressive power delivery and a more intimate connection between car and driver.
Chassis Wizardry
The DB12 S is more than just power; it’s an exercise in precision engineering. A host of chassis refinements—revised Bilstein DTX damper software, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, and optimized geometry—work together to deliver heightened agility and composure. Steering calibration and E-diff tuning have been meticulously refined to provide a natural, intuitive driving feel. The result is a car that encourages earlier throttle application through corners, delivering an impeccable balance of agility and stability for maximum driver confidence.
Braking performance has been elevated to supercar levels with the standard fitment of Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB)—410 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear. Beyond exceptional fade resistance and linear response, the CCBs shed 27 kg of unsprung weight, benefiting steering feel, ride quality, and dynamic behaviour. A next-generation Corner Braking Control system enhances stability under trail braking, tightening lines through corners with torque vectoring precision.
An Aural Signature
No Aston Martin is complete without its signature soundtrack. The DB12 S introduces a new quad tailpipe stainless steel sports exhaust, tuned to heighten the V8’s natural frequencies across the rev range. An optional titanium system offers an even richer aural experience, reducing weight by 11.7 kg while raising sound levels by 1.5 dB for a truly visceral symphony of bass, mid and treble notes that would make even Q smile.
Design with Purpose and Drama
The DB12 S wears its enhanced performance credentials with elegance and intent. At the front, a new dual-element splitter visually lowers and widens the stance while generating meaningful downforce. Gloss black bonnet louvres, available in carbon fibre, aid engine bay cooling and complete the aggressive yet refined look.
Gloss black sill extensions extend the splitter’s line along the flanks, while hand-crafted ‘S’ badges in bright or dark chrome with red glass enamel signal the model’s status. At the rear, a fixed spoiler enhances high-speed stability, complemented by a sculpted diffuser that integrates the stacked quad tailpipes, giving the DB12 S a purposeful and unforgettable stance.
Luxury Redefined Inside
Step inside and the DB12 S reveals a cabin tailored for the grandest of tours. The red anodised drive mode rotary controller sets the tone, echoed in the seatbelt colour, contrast stitching, and embroidery. Three distinctive interior environments—Accelerate, Inspire S semi-aniline, and Inspire S full semi-aniline—allow owners to tailor their surroundings.
Details such as S herringbone quilting, micro-perforations, and an Alcantara headlining create a tactile, immersive atmosphere. 16-way Sport Plus electric seats come as standard, while an optional Carbon Fibre Performance seat promises both weight savings and sculptural beauty. Even the Aston Martin wings on the headrests are rendered through an industry-first embossing and debossing technique for remarkable precision.
