2026 Aston Martin DB12 S
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2026 Aston Martin DB12 S: Sharper, Louder, Meaner — the New Pinnacle of the Super Tourer

Aston Martin doesn’t do subtle when it comes to its “S” badge. In Gaydon’s dictionary, the letter stands for sharper steering, louder exhausts, and a little more everything. The new DB12 S is no exception — a harder-edged, more focused evolution of the brand’s already formidable “Super Tourer.”

The DB12 S takes the stunning DB12 launched in 2023 and turns the dial up to 12. Think of it as the British grand-touring equivalent of espresso with rocket fuel. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, sourced from Mercedes-AMG but re-engineered by Aston Martin, now cranks out 700 PS (690 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque — a modest 20-horsepower bump that feels anything but modest once the tach swings past 3000 rpm. Top speed rises to 202 mph, while the sprint to 60 mph drops to 3.4 seconds, thanks to faster gearshifts and a retuned launch control.

A V8 That Sings in Surround Sound

If the DB12’s soundtrack was a baritone, the DB12 S is a full orchestra. A new quad-pipe stainless-steel exhaust broadens the tone across the rev range, and an optional titanium system cranks volume by 1.5 decibels while shaving nearly 12 kilograms (26 pounds). The result is less GT whisper and more Le Mans thunder — the kind of noise that earns applause in tunnels and side-eye from neighbors.

Sharper Reflexes, Lighter Feet

Aston’s chassis engineers clearly spent late nights chasing agility. Revised geometry (camber, toe, and caster), a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, and fresh software for the Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers all conspire to make the DB12 S feel more keyed-in and confident at the limit. Steering calibration and the electronic rear differential have been refined for crisper turn-in and a more natural connection between throttle, tire, and driver.

And for the first time on a DB12, carbon-ceramic brakes come standard. The massive 410 mm front and 360 mm rear discs cut a whopping 27 kilograms (60 pounds) of unsprung mass. The payoff? Improved ride quality, better steering feedback, and fade-free stopping power even after a few laps of Silverstone.

Backing up the hardware is a suite of electronic wizardry: a new Corner Braking Control (CBC) system predicts grip levels while trail braking, distributing torque across the rear axle for stability and precision. In practice, that means later braking, tighter lines, and a sense that the car reads your mind before each corner.

Designed to Dominate the Boulevard — and the Autobahn

The DB12 S doesn’t just go harder; it looks the part. Up front, a dual-element splitter and functional bonnet louvres (available in gloss black or carbon fiber) lend the car an angrier stance while aiding cooling and downforce. Gloss-black side sills visually stretch the silhouette, while a fixed rear spoiler and a new diffuser housing stacked twin exhausts give the tail an extra hit of aggression.

Even the badging gets special treatment — a forged “S” emblem filled with red enamel, a nod to Aston’s 1953 DB3S racer, the car that started the brand’s “S” suffix tradition.

Inside: Couture Meets Cockpit

The DB12’s already exquisite interior takes on a racier tone. A red-anodized drive-mode selector anchors the center console and dictates accents throughout the cabin — from the seatbelts to the contrast stitching. Three trim environments are available:

  • Accelerate (leather and Alcantara)
  • Inspire S (semi-aniline leather and Alcantara)
  • Inspire S Full Leather, featuring intricate herringbone quilting and micro-perforations

Standard 16-way Sport Plus seats strike a sweet spot between GT comfort and circuit support, but hardcore types can opt for Carbon-Fiber Performance seats that look stolen straight from a Valkyrie.

Super Tourer, Super Sorted

Simon Newton, Aston’s Director of Vehicle Performance, puts it succinctly: “With DB12 S, we’ve amplified driver engagement without losing refinement.” Translation: it’s a grand tourer that still cossets on the motorway yet begs for more throttle and later braking on your favorite mountain road.

Available in both Coupe and Volante forms, the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S is open for orders now, with first deliveries slated for early 2026. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect a healthy premium over the regular DB12’s six-figure tag — and every penny to feel worth it the first time you floor it through second gear.

Because if the DB12 was a gentleman in a tailored suit, the DB12 S is the same man — only with his cuffs rolled up, a wild grin, and a few more scars from late-night drives across the continent.

Source: Aston Martin