Aston Martin’s DB12 S raises the bar

The Aston Martin DB12 is the latest in a long line of gorgeous GT cars from the British brand. It was first launched in 2023 in two-door coupe form and the open-topped Volante model joined the range a year later. Now, well-timed to give buyers of the original car something new and shiny to think about, is the DB12 S, offered in both body styles. Aston Martin’s S models all have increased driver focus at their core, with more performance, lower weight, and an enhanced driving experience, accompanied by suitably sporting updates to the cabin and exterior. That is the DB12 S in a nutshell.

Exterior design and image

Aston’s designers took the lithe, graceful form of the original DB12 and sharpened it up a bit, adding a little technicality to the appearance. It’s hardly a dramatic makeover and, depending on specification, it can be relatively subtle. Not only that, but most of the aesthetic changes have been made in the name of function, not just form.

For instance, there’s a new protruding chin spoiler up front, which aids aerodynamic balance and cooling flow to the brakes while differentiating the S. New vents on the long bonnet, meanwhile, help extract hot air from the engine bay underneath. Less obvious are the new side sills, but from the back you’ll know for sure that you’re looking at the S model thanks to its distinctive ‘stacked’ exhaust outlets – four of them in total. Those tailpipes poke out of a new, aerodynamically optimised diffuser, while the previous automatically deploying rear spoiler has been replaced by a lighter, fixed item. All this is topped off by a set of enamelled S badges made by a jeweller.

Interior and practicality

Inside, red accenting is used to mark out the S model, found on the stunning leather upholstery and stitching, and picked up in the red-anodised drive mode selector in the middle of the car. At its centre is the engine-start button and it’s all very solid and tactile. The same goes for the switchgear surrounding this on the centre console and dashboard, where lovely, knurled metal is found in place of plastic. And what’s more, this layout means the driver doesn’t have to use the central touchscreen too often.

If you do, you’ll discover this features full connectivity as you would hope and even Apple CarPlay Ultra for more integration with the car than comes with the standard Apple CarPlay system. However, we prefer Aston Martin’s proprietary software, especially when it comes to the customisable digital instruments in front of the driver.

On the subject of personalisation, no two DB12 S cabins are likely to be alike thanks to Aston Martin’s seemingly endless list of colour, trim, and material options, and buyers with particularly deep pockets can effectively have a bespoke specification. Not that such a thing is needed for this car to feel special.

In practical terms, the DB12 is ostensibly a ‘2+2’ car with two small seats in the back, but we don’t recommend asking an adult you want to remain friends with to sit back there. Best to think of it as additional luggage space – perfect for holding a large handbag or briefcase perhaps. The boot itself is smaller than that of most family hatchbacks, but it’s still large enough for golf clubs or luggage for two for a week away. Nobody buys a car such as this expecting estate-like cargo-carrying capacity.

On the road

The sense of occasion promised by the exterior design and interior tactility ramps up a notch when you put your foot on the brake pedal and press the engine-start button. The big V8 under the bonnet roars into life through the S’s upgraded sports exhaust and settles down to an always-audible rumble. It’s a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG, but with lots of development by Aston Martin’s own engineers. For the S, it has been tuned to produce a nice round 700hp and 800Nm of torque.

But while that delivers a suitably sports-car-like performance, the DB12 S is about much more than just straight-line speed. The engine note and the sound it makes at all times is a real highlight. It’s a constant presence when you’re ambling about or cruising on the motorway, if never loud and intrusive. Then, when you have a chance to push the accelerator further, it really comes alive, accompanied by an incredibly rapid automatic gearbox. Buyers can opt for a louder titanium system if they’re not worried about disturbing their neighbours. Meanwhile, keen drivers will soon reach for the ‘manual’ button and choose when to change gears for themselves using the fabulous metal paddles behind the steering wheel.

Additionally, advanced adaptive suspension allows the driver to optimise the chassis for comfort or control over various driving modes. At its most extreme, you would  need a racetrack to maximise its ability.

However, it’s worth reiterating that the DB12 S feels special at any speed. It’s just that it has the ability to really engage driving enthusiasts, too.

That comes down to the steering weighting and directness and the confidence-inspiring brakes as much as it does the car’s ability to change direction at its driver’s whim. It seemingly does it all and while it’s never luxury-car soft, neither is it too uncomfortable to consider for a long journey with your favourite person in the passenger seat.

Pricing

The only Aston Martin showroom on the island of Ireland is in Belfast, so there’s no official pricing for the country. But it would be around €450,000 imported, which may be a huge amount of money, but it’s not – relatively speaking – a crazy amount more than the non-S DB12 before it. A very worthy upgrade indeed.