Sports car gets 19bhp upgrade, shoutier exhaust and new chassis set-up to give greater "sense of agility"
Aston Martin has revealed a new range-topping version of the DB12, with power boosted to 690bhp and a series of technical upgrades to make a more hardcore proposition.
The DB12 S joins the Vantage S and recently released DBX S as the latest in a long line of S-badged Aston Martin flagships – the badge having first been used on the 1953 DB3 S road racer.
For the DB12 S, changes have been made to the powertrain, steering and electronics to increase the sports car’s pace and sharpen its handling.
Aston Martin’s director of vehicle performance, Simon Newton, said the raft of tweaks gives “exceptional scope to explore a new depth of character and capability within the same platformâ€.
The most notable change has been made to the sports car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. The engine has been uprated by 19bhp so now puts out 690bhp. This cuts the 0-62mph sprint time to 3.4sec, although top speed stays at 202mph.
The engine has been made to sound more aggressive than in the standard DB12 for an added sense of drama, Aston Martin said. This is through a more “potent†stainless-steel exhaust (fitted as a cost option), raising the DB12 S’s exhaust note by 1.5dB.
Elsewhere, chassis changes have been made to increase the “sense of agilityâ€, cornering confidence and overall balance. This includes new damper tuning, a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and recalibrated steering.
The DB12 S is marked out from the standard DB12 by a new quad-pipe exhaust. A new front splitter, bonnet scoops and fixed rear spoiler also showcase the car’s performance credentials.
Inside, distinguishing details include a new red drive controller, red seatbelts and red stitching, The headrests are also embroidered with the S badge. The DB12 S’s cabin can be clad in full leather, semi-aniline leather or Alcantara.
Pricing has yet to be revealed but, like the DBX S and the standard DBX 707, the DB12 S is expected to start at the same £200,000 as the standard car.
It will be available as both a coupé and a roadster. Deliveries are due to begin early next year.
