New Aston Martin DB12 S: The Calm Before The Roar

For a company that trades as much on emotion as engineering, Aston Martin has rarely struggled to make an entrance. Yet the new DB12 S unveiled this week (under embargo from Gaydon) isn’t merely another performance evolution, it’s another incredible statement of intent.

The DB12 was already a deeply impressive return to form, a confident step into the digital age without losing that essential British suaveness. But the DB12 S takes that foundation and turns the volume – quite literally – up. Power rises to a formidable 700PS, torque swells to 800Nm and the 0–60mph sprint now disappears in a scarcely believable 3.4 seconds. Top speed? 202mph. All from a distinctly familiar but finely reworked 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

The DB12 S isn’t just a faster DB12 though; it’s more like the flag planted at the top of the hill because it completes the rebirth of Aston Martin’s “S” line, joining the DBX S and Vantage S to form a trinity of sharpened models. And in truth, it couldn’t come at a more pivotal moment.

The brand’s trajectory under Lawrence Stroll has been one of transformation – both in the showroom and on the grid. With the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team now a permanent fixture on our screens, the company’s road cars finally have the performance to match the ambition and the DB12 S is the proof.

In 2025, the grand touring segment is never busier. Ferrari has the 296 GTB, a plug-in masterpiece that rewrites the performance rulebook. Bentley continues to refine the Continental GT into near-silent luxury perfection and McLaren’s Artura bridges hybridisation with performance.

And it’s that contrast that makes the DB12 S so alluring. It doesn’t shout about sustainability, nor does it need to. What it offers instead is something increasingly rare in the modern automotive landscape, a bit of purity. A car that celebrates the visceral experience of driving, not just the speed of progress.

It’s the calm before the roar, indeed. Only this time, the roar isn’t just from the exhausts, it seems to also be from a brand rediscovering its voice.

Talking of the roar however, Aston Martin has always understood theatre and the DB12 S looks like it will replace its predecessor’s cultured baritone with something a little more operatic. The new quad exhaust system (and an optional titanium alternative) is sure to give this gentleman bruiser a proper voice, tuned to deliver a deep, resonant soundtrack across the rev range.

As brands like Ferrari and Porsche move towards hybrid or electric integration, Aston Martin seems content to perfect the V8 it already has. And perhaps that might be the point because the DB12 S feels like a little act of resistance from a move to hybridisation in this area. Even in 2025, there still looks like plenty of room for pure mechanical passion.

Beneath the beautifully sculpted aluminium skin, Aston’s engineers have given the chassis a comprehensive rethink. The Bilstein DTX dampers are recalibrated for sharper responses, aided by a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and tweaked geometry which is bound to refine cornering balance.

In Aston’s words, the car is now “more progressive and intuitive”, which translates to a GT that communicates, flatters and rewards in equal measure. The steering calibration has been refined, the electronic rear differential tuned for natural response and the carbon-ceramic brakes not only boost stopping power but trim 27kg of unsprung weight, which is good.

The DB12 S still weighs in at over 1.8 tonnes however, yet through thoughtful engineering rather than trickery, I bet Aston will still manage to preserve the car’s trademark blend of composure and drama. It’s not a racer per se, but nor is it a recliner.

Visually, the DB12 S is the kind of car that could snap necks. The front end wears a new dual-element splitter and bonnet louvres, which don’t just look serious but also serve genuine aerodynamic function. The splitter broadens the stance and channels airflow, while the louvres help extract hot air from that front-mounted V8. The result is an Aston that looks more aggressive but never vulgar.

The rear tells a similar story. A fixed spoiler sits above a new diffuser, housing those stacked quad pipes that announce intent before the engine even turns. Everything looks tauter, more deliberate. This isn’t style for its own sake in other words.

Inside, it’s an Aston masterclass in tactility and detail. The red anodised drive mode controller adds a splash of intent amidst the beautifully tailored leather and Alcantara. Customers can choose from monotone, duotone or tritone interior themes, while a new Inspire S environment combines semi-aniline leather with Herringbone quilting and Alcantara headlining.

Expect prices to be well north of £200k and deliveries some way into 2026.