New 690-bhp Aston Martin DB12 S cranks power and cuts weight

Aston’s new apex DB is faster, louder, and more aggressive than ever. But have the tweaks had a transformative effect on Gaydon’s venerable ‘super tourer’?

Looking for a svelte, low-slung, executive rocketship, but feel the standard DB12 is a little too soft around the edges? Fear not, Aston’s new DB12 S is here to cut the dead weight and add a little extra muscle, for good measure. 

Touted as the halo car of the DB range, Aston claims this reworked beauty is the ‘new pinnacle of Super Tourer’. Starting with the engine — an already monstrously powerful 4.0-Litre Twin-Turbo V8 — Aston’s engineers have dialled up the grunt to the order of 690-bhp (19 more than before), presumably by fiddling with the engine’s mapping. The net result is ‘a scintillating response, relentless acceleration and a 202mph top speed.’ Oh, and don’t forget the 0.1 seconds shaved off the 0-60 mph sprint — when you’re already sat in the 3.5-second range, even fractional improvements are noteworthy.

So it’s objectively quicker, but the DB12 S should feel more entertaining to pilot at full speed. For one, a new stainless steel sports exhaust system means you’ll hear more of the V8’s theatrical roars and burbles as standard. But for those who want an even more immersive experience, an optional titanium system has been tuned to enhance the bass, mid, and treble frequencies, whilst also boosting volume by 1.5 dB. What’s more, it drops a healthy 11.7 kg from the DB12 S’ kerb weight. 

Speaking of weight reduction, the S model also benefits from carbon ceramic brakes as standard. These more aggressive stoppers are not only more resistant to fade under repeated abuse, but are also good for a saving of 27 kg of unsprung mass. Moreover, the lightweight discs are hooked up to Aston’s latest integrated Brake Slip Control system — which can apply a form of torque vectoring to aid corner entry and exit.

Thanks to some clever chassis tweaks, the DB12 S should also feel lighter on its feet. Software improvements to the Bilstein DTX shock absorbers will improve roll and pitch control, while bespoke camber, toe, and caster geometry enhance agility and front-end grip. Then, a final touch of dynamic polish is added courtesy of recalibrated steering and an improved e-diff system. Combine all these tweaks with ultra versatile Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres as standard, and the new DB12 S offers ‘an impeccable balance of agility and exploitability, together with an underlying stability for ultimate confidence and enjoyment.’ 

Helping advertise those performance upgrades to envious onlookers, the new S also sports some subtle styling changes. Up front, there’s a new dual element front splitter and bonnet louvres — both of which, are functional. In the case of the former, to reduce lift at high speed, and the latter, to aid cooling of that ‘hot-V’ turbocharged V8.

Does the new DB12 S add up to more than the sum of its new parts, then? It certainly looks like it, though we’ll reserve final judgement for when we get behind the wheel. Until then, what do you think of the new hardcore DB12? And, more importantly, would you have yours in Coupe or Volante (cabrio) guise? Either way, expect to pay well north of £200,000 for the privilege.

Hero image credit: Aston Martin