2026 Aston Martin DB12 S is even sportier and more stylish – Jalopnik

The Aston Martin DB12 is no slouch, with 617 horsepower from its AMG-derived V8 engine and major upgrades across the board compared to the DB11 it replaced. But now the DB12 is a few years old, so it’s high time for an even better version to come out. Earlier this year Aston brought back its ‘S’ Sooner with the DBX S (which is excellent, as I discovered when I drove one recently), and since then we’ve seen the Vantage S, both of which have more power, sportier tuning and some excellent new design cues. Now Aston has unveiled the 2026 DB12 s, which doesn’t pack many surprises but is still tempting.

Director of vehicle performance Simon Newton says: “With DB12 S we have carefully designed a host of detailed changes, which retain the hallmark levels of refinement, increase vehicle performance and enhance driver involvement. Having added this greater dynamic and performance bandwidth to DB12 s, we believe this elevates the Super Tourer ethos to a level of track.” I’m sure it will be a real blast to drive, but I’m most excited about the even louder, cooler exhaust.

Aston brought the Vantage S’s horsepower in line with the base DB12, so clearly the DB12 S had to up the ante a bit, though it doesn’t quite reach the Ferrari Purosangue—beating 717 horsepower from the DBX S. The DB12 S’ Turbo 4.0-Liter V8 now makes 690 HP and its peak 590 pound-feet from the Vouten’s rope mark) comes in between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm. Top speed is unchanged at 202 mph, but thanks to new calibration for the launch control system, the DB12 S will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, a tenth faster. Aston says it has also recalibrated throttle feel for “an even greater sense of connection and control”, and gear shifts are more than 50% quicker than before.

As with the other S models and the new ones, the DB12 S has a pair of large exhaust pipes stacked together on each side of the diffuser, which looks great. The stock exhaust system is made of stainless steel and is tuned “to accentuate engine frequencies throughout the rev range for added depth and potency.” If that’s not enough, you can spec a titanium exhaust that reduces weight by 26 pounds, increases noise levels by 1.5 decibels and further boosts[s] The bass, mid and treble frequencies. “

The Bilstein DTX dampers have new software for improved pitch and roll control, and the DB12 S has a stiffer anti-roll bar and tweaked camber, castor and toe geometry for better compliance and front-end feel. The electronic rear differential and steering also have a new tuning, for improved responses and the ability to get to a corner on the accelerator sooner. There’s no magnesium wheel option like on the DBX S, but the DB12 S has a cool set of 21-inch wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tires.

Heramic carbon brakes, a $14,400 option on the regular DB12, are standard on the DB12 S, saving 60 pounds of tireless weight compared to steel brakes. Some other changes have been made to the braking and torque vectoring systems, all with the aim of making the DB12 S as good to drive as possible:

The DB12 S also benefits from the next generation Corner Brake Control System (CBC), which optimizes the interaction between the integrated brake vessels and the integrated vehicle control modules. A predictive function within the CBC allows the car to maintain optimal stability while trail ring braking into a corner, using more of the rear braking performance to maintain a tighter line from corner entry to Apex. This system allows the driver to brake later and with improved stability, the integrated brake-blowing system for the rear axle torque vector that provides predictable, precise and consistent cornering behavior in all driving environments, hard surfaces, highway connections, or driving on a race.

In addition to the new exhaust and wheels, there are other aesthetic changes to make it clear that you are looking at a DB12 s, not just a low normal DB12. Among the new components are a more complex front splitter that creates more downforce and better guides the airflow around the wheels, larger vents that extract more hot air, a redesigned diffuser that reduces lift, a larger fixed rear spoiler that increases high-speed stability and lower skirts that just go over the looks. The S badges on the fenders are handmade from bright or dark chrome with a red glass enamel insert.

The center console’s knurled metal drive mode button, one of the most sensitive physical controls on the market, gets an anodized red finish. You can have the Aston Martin Wing logo placed on the headrests using a newly developed technique that uses both embossing and debossing, there are S-specific color schemes with herringbone patterns, and you can get a heated Alcantara steering wheel and carbon fiber performance assets.

Aston Martin hasn’t announced pricing for the DB12 S yet, but with the DBX S only $5,500 more than a standard DBX707, the DB12 S should be a pretty good deal. The DB12 S will be available in both coupe and Volante convertible body styles, with deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2026.

Aston Martin