2026 Aston Martin DB12 S raises the Super Tourer stakes
Aston Martin has given its grand-touring flagship a harder edge with the 2026 DB12 S. It’s still a long‑legged GT, but with a bump in output, heavier‑hitting brakes, fresh aero, and a stack of chassis tweaks, this one leans further into the “S” brief alongside the new Vantage S and DBX S. Power is up to 700 PS (about 690 hp), 0–60 mph drops to 3.4 seconds, and the top speed remains a heady 202 mph. Orders are open now in Coupe and Volante forms, with first U.S. deliveries slated for early 2026; pricing hasn’t been announced.
More muscle, quicker reflexes
The 4.0‑liter twin‑turbo V8 returns, turned up to 700 PS at 6,000 rpm and delivering a stout 800 Nm (590 lb‑ft) from 3,000–6,000 rpm. The headline acceleration gain—3.4 seconds to 60 mph—is only a tenth quicker than the standard DB12, but a lot of the story lives in the calibration work. Launch control gets a revised strategy and shift times are cut by more than half, while the throttle pedal mapping is reworked for a more progressive, finer‑grained response. On paper, the power bump is modest; in practice, these calibrations are the kind of changes you actually feel when threading a favorite road.
There’s also a new stainless‑steel sports exhaust that reshapes the V8’s voice and ends in stacked quad tailpipes. An optional titanium system drops 11.7 kg (25.8 lb) and increases overall sound pressure by 1.5 dB—small number, noticeable difference—without turning the DB12 S into a shouty neighbor.
Chassis upgrades you won’t see but will notice
Aston Martin didn’t stop at the powertrain. The DB12 S gets revised software for its Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers to add roll and pitch discipline. A stiffer rear anti‑roll bar and finessed camber, caster, and toe settings target a keener front end and tidier rotation. Steering assistance and the electronic rear differential are re‑tuned as well, encouraging earlier throttle application on corner exit with a calmer, more intuitive feel at the rim.
Brakes take a major step: carbon‑ceramic rotors are standard—410 mm up front, 360 mm at the rear. Beyond higher thermal capacity and fade resistance, they strip 27 kg (59.5 lb) of unsprung mass versus steels, which should help both ride polish and steering detail. The car also adopts the brand’s latest Corner Braking Control logic, coordinating the Integrated Brake Slip Control and Integrated Vehicle Control systems. The predictive algorithm supports late, stable trail‑braking by using more rear brake when appropriate and adds torque vectoring across the rear axle for cleaner, more consistent cornering.
Aero and styling with purpose
The DB12 S looks familiar yet more assertive. A dual‑element front splitter visually pushes the nose lower and wider while guiding air around the front wheels. Heat‑extraction louvres on the hood—finished in gloss black or optional 2x2 twill carbon fiber—help vent the hot‑V. Along the sides, gloss‑black sill extensions extend the splitter’s line and reinforce the stance. At the back, a fixed rear spoiler and a broader diffuser trim lift at speed and frame the new quad pipes. There are discreet “S” emblems on the fenders, forged in bright or dark chrome with a red enamel inlay; the sort of detail an owner will point out after the second espresso.
Cockpit details, with some theater
Inside, the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S gets its own touches without losing the DB12’s driver‑centric layout and physical switchgear. The knurled drive‑mode controller wears a red anodized finish, echoed by the seatbelts, contrast welting, stitching, and headrest embroidery. Three interior environments are offered: Accelerate (leather and Alcantara), Inspire S (semi‑aniline leather with Alcantara), and Inspire S full semi‑aniline. The Inspire S themes add an “S” herringbone quilting pattern with micro‑perforations and an Alcantara headliner. Standard chairs are 16‑way Sport Plus; a lightweight Carbon Fibre Performance seat is optional if you prefer a tighter fit.
Other options include an Alcantara heated sport steering wheel and a new, intricate technique for applying the Aston Martin wings to the headrests using both embossing and debossing. Infotainment mirrors the DB12’s latest system, with connected navigation, over‑the‑air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an available Bowers & Wilkins surround setup for those who occasionally want the soundtrack without the exhaust.
DB12 S vs. DB12
Compared with the Aston Martin DB12 (680 PS/671 hp, 0–60 in 3.5 seconds, 202 mph), the DB12 S adds 20 PS, trims a tenth from the 0–60 sprint, and keeps the same terminal velocity. The bigger movement is dynamic: standard carbon‑ceramics, fresh damper logic, revised geometry, and steering/E‑diff tuning—all aimed at extracting more precision without stripping away GT civility. In short, the “S” badge here isn’t just a power figure; it’s a suite of changes that should tighten the car’s responses everywhere from freeway on‑ramps to fast two‑lanes.
How it lines up with the 2026 Vantage S
Aston’s S lineup also includes the 2026 Vantage S, a two‑seat sports car that leans harder into track‑day attitude. The Vantage S posts 680 PS (≈671 hp), 800 Nm (590 lb‑ft), a 3.3‑second 0–60 mph time, and the same 202‑mph peak. It achieves that with aggressive hardware—solid‑mounted rear subframe, stouter damper curves, and a claimed 111 kg (245 lb) of downforce at Vmax. The DB12 S, by contrast, is the brand’s Super Tourer: more power on paper, a 2+2 layout, and a brief that mixes big‑mileage comfort with sharper edges. Different missions, similar philosophy.
On sale timing and price
The 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S is available to order now as a Coupe or Volante. First deliveries are scheduled for Q1 2026. U.S. pricing will be released closer to launch, and it’s fair to expect a premium over the regular DB12.
Final take
The DB12 S doesn’t reinvent Aston Martin’s grand tourer, and it doesn’t need to. Instead, it layers on power, trims response times, and bakes in meaningful chassis and braking upgrades—exactly the kind of work that separates a quicker car from a better one. The styling tweaks add intent without spoiling the elegance, and the cabin gets just enough “S” theatrics to feel special. If the Vantage S is the extrovert, the 2026 DB12 S reads as the quietly confident flagship of the DB line.
-Ed
2026 Aston Martin DB12 S
