- The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S doesn’t rewrite the grand-touring rulebook—and that’s precisely its strength. Rather than chasing reinvention, it focuses on refinement and response, adding power, tightening calibration, and layering in substantive chassis and braking improvements. These are the kinds of upgrades that don’t just make a car faster—they make it feel better everywhere.
- Visually, the styling revisions add purpose without disturbing the DB’s natural elegance, while the interior updatesdeliver just enough “S” flair to underscore its elevated status.
- If the Vantage S represents Aston Martin’s bold, extroverted side, the DB12 S is its quietly confident counterpart—the poised, assured flagship of the DB range, built for those who prefer precision and polish over spectacle.
2026 Aston Martin DB12 S raises the Super Tourer stakes
Aston Martin sharpens its grand-touring flagship with the 2026 DB12 S, adding more muscle, grip, and focus to its already potent formula. Still every bit the long-distance GT, the “S” treatment brings higher output, upgraded brakes, revised aerodynamics, and a suite of chassis refinements that push the car further toward the performance end of Aston’s spectrum—mirroring recent updates to the Vantage S and DBX S.
Under the hood, power climbs to 700 PS (approximately 690 hp), cutting the 0–60 mph sprint to just 3.4 seconds, while top speed holds steady at 202 mph.
The DB12 S will be offered in both Coupe and Volante (convertible) configurations, with orders now open and U.S. deliveries expected in early 2026. Pricing details are yet to be announced, but the performance and poise suggest Aston Martin’s latest evolution of grand touring will sit at the sharper edge of luxury and speed.
More muscle, quicker reflexes
The familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 returns in the DB12 S, now tuned to produce 700 PS (690 hp) at 6,000 rpm and a robust 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm. While the improved 0–60 mph time of 3.4 seconds is just a tenth quicker than the standard DB12, the real gains come from calibration and drivability refinements rather than raw numbers.
Launch control benefits from a revised strategy, gear changes are more than twice as quick, and throttle mapping has been reworked for a more progressive, nuanced response. On paper, it’s a modest power bump—but on the road, the sharper calibration transforms how the car delivers it, especially through quick transitions and winding back roads.
A new stainless-steel sports exhaust system also debuts, reshaping the DB12 S’s distinctive V8 soundtrack and finishing with stacked quad tailpipes. For those seeking extra flair, the optional titanium exhaust cuts 11.7 kg (25.8 lb) from the car’s weight and increases overall sound pressure by 1.5 dB—a subtle but perceptible enhancement—without crossing into overbearing territory.
Chassis upgrades you won’t see but will notice
Aston Martin’s upgrades for the DB12 S go well beyond the engine bay. The chassis and dynamics have been comprehensively reworked to make the car sharper, calmer, and more rewarding when pushed.
The Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers receive new software calibration aimed at tightening roll and pitch control, while a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and revised camber, caster, and toe geometry bring greater precision and agility to the front end. Both steering assistance and the electronic rear differential have been retuned to promote earlier throttle application on corner exit, delivering a more intuitive, settled feel through the wheel.
Braking also takes a major leap forward. Carbon-ceramic rotors now come standard—410 mm up front and 360 mm at the rear—providing exceptional heat tolerance and fade resistance. More importantly, they cut 27 kg (59.5 lb) of unsprung weight compared with the previous steel setup, benefiting both ride comfort and steering feedback.
The DB12 S further introduces Aston Martin’s latest Corner Braking Control system, which integrates Brake Slip Control and Vehicle Control logic into a predictive algorithm. This coordination allows for later, more stable trail-braking, using rear brake bias when needed, while torque vectoring across the rear axle ensures cleaner, more consistent corner exits. The result is a grand tourer that feels more composed at the limit yet still unmistakably Aston Martin in its balance and feel.
Aero and styling with purpose
The DB12 S keeps the familiar proportions of Aston Martin’s grand tourer but layers on a more assertive, performance-oriented presence. Up front, a dual-element splitter visually pushes the nose lower and wider, channeling air cleanly around the front wheels while enhancing downforce.
New heat-extraction louvres on the hood—finished in gloss black or optional 2×2 twill carbon fiber—help evacuate heat from the “hot-V” twin-turbo engine bay. Along the flanks, gloss-black sill extensions carry the splitter’s visual line rearward, reinforcing the car’s planted stance.
At the back, a fixed rear spoiler and broader diffuser trim aerodynamic lift at speed and neatly frame the new quad exhaust outlets. Finishing touches include subtle “S” fender emblems, available in bright or dark chrome with a red enamel inlay—a small but deliberate detail, the kind an owner might point out while sipping that second espresso.
Cockpit details, with some theater
Inside, the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S refines the DB12’s already immersive cockpit with subtle but purposeful “S” cues, all while preserving the car’s driver-focused architecture and tactile physical switchgear.
At the center console, the knurled drive-mode selector now features a red anodized finish, a color echoed across the seatbelts, contrast welting, stitching, and embroidered headrests—a visual nod to the car’s elevated performance intent.
Three distinct interior environments are available:
Accelerate: A blend of leather and Alcantara for a sporty, technical feel.
Inspire S (Leather + Alcantara): Adds semi-aniline leather, an Alcantara headliner, and a bespoke “S” herringbone quilting pattern with micro-perforations.
Inspire S Full Semi-Aniline: The most opulent, wrapping the cabin entirely in semi-aniline leather with the same performance-inspired detailing.
The 16-way Sport Plus seats are standard, while an optional Carbon Fibre Performance seat caters to those who want a more focused, form-fitting driving position. Other customization highlights include a heated Alcantara sport steering wheel and a newly developed emboss/deboss technique for the Aston Martin wings on the headrests—an artisanal flourish that adds depth and precision to the branding.
Technology carries over from the standard DB12, led by the brand’s in-house infotainment system with connected navigation, over-the-air updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audiophiles can opt for the Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system, perfect for moments when you’d rather savor the music than the exhaust note.
DB12 S vs. DB12
Compared with the standard Aston Martin DB12—which delivers 680 PS (671 hp), a 0–60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph—the new DB12 S adds a modest 20 PS, trims a tenth off the 0–60 sprint, and maintains that same lofty terminal speed.
But the real transformation isn’t on the spec sheet—it’s in the dynamics. With standard carbon-ceramic brakes, revised damper software, tweaked suspension geometry, and retuned steering and electronic differential, the DB12 S is engineered to feel tighter, quicker, and more composed, all without sacrificing its long-legged grand-touring comfort.
In essence, the “S” badge here represents more than just a bump in power—it’s a comprehensive dynamic evolution, designed to make the DB12 S sharper and more engaging everywhere from freeway on-ramps to flowing back roads.
How it lines up with the 2026 Vantage S
Aston Martin’s expanding “S” lineup now includes the 2026 Vantage S, a two-seat sports car that takes a more overtly track-focused approach. It delivers 680 PS (≈671 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, launching from 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds and topping out at the same 202 mph as its grand-touring sibling.
The Vantage S earns its credentials with hardcore chassis hardware—a solid-mounted rear subframe, firmer damper tuning, and an aero package that generates a claimed 111 kg (245 lb) of downforce at top speed. It’s built to thrive on circuits and technical roads, where immediacy and feedback take precedence.
By contrast, the DB12 S plays the role of Aston’s Super Tourer: more power on paper, a 2+2 layout, and a mission that blends cross-continental comfort with sharper, more precise handling. The two models embody different interpretations of performance, but share a single philosophy—elevating connection and control without diluting Aston Martin’s signature elegance.
On sale timing and price
The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S is available to order now in both Coupe and Volante forms, with first customer deliveries slated for the first quarter of 2026. Official U.S. pricing will be announced closer to launch, though it’s reasonable to expect a modest premium over the standard DB12, reflecting its added power, upgraded chassis hardware, and bespoke design touches.