Aston Martin’s Latest V8 Coupe Is Enough to Make 007 Drool

While Bond typically goes for the V12 flagship, this DB12 S will certainly meet his needs.

Rear side view of a blue sports car with illuminated red taillights and dual exhaust pipes.

Published October 8, 2025

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Updated October 8, 2025

It’s always a grandiose moment when Aston Martin reveals a new car and today’s one of those moments. Say hello to the drop-dead gorgeous and 690-horsepower DB12 S.

It’s a follow-up to the already fast and potent DB12, which launched just a couple of years ago as a replacement for the DB11. And if you were slightly confused as to how the model sits in the lineup, it’s along the same lineage as the DB9 before it and the DB7 before that.

But as you can tell from the appendage of the letter “S” after the DB12, it designates the more powerful and even harder-edged variant. It follows the same theme as the current DBX S SUV and the entry-level Vantage S.

Blue Aston Martin DB11 sports car with black roof and alloy wheels on a reflective blue surface. — The new DB12 S is a faster and more aggressive follow-up to the standard model.

A monster for both the road and track

To distinguish the DB12 S from its regular sibling, it features a plethora of performance and visual upgrades. Par the course, it features more aggressive sport-tuned suspension, steering, beefier brakes, and more power.

Rear view of a blue Aston Martin DB12 S with illuminated taillights against a blue background. — Even if a DB12 S leaves you in the dust, you’ll be left to gaze at its gorgeous behind.

Beginning with the most important part, the DB12 S boasts a whopping 690 horsepower from its Mercedes-AMG-sourced “M177” 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. That’s almost 20 more than the standard DB12, though torque output remains the same at 590 pound-feet.

The result is a 0-60 mph time of just 3.4 seconds, a slight bit quicker than the standard DB12’s 3.6 seconds.

Close-up of an Aston Martin DB12 S engine badge with "Hand Built in Great Britain" text on a textured black engine cover. — Despite having “12” in its series name, the DB12 is powered by a Mercedes-AMG-sourced twin-turbo V8.

But rather than being about numbers, Aston’s engineers put more effort into adjusting the experience. For instance, the powertrain team reworked the throttle pedal software mapping and engine output curve for more aggressive responses.

The ZF 8HP75 eight-speed automatic also benefits from software upgrades for snappier shifts.

Blue luxury sports coupe with black multi-spoke wheels on a reflective dark blue surface. — The side profile of the DB12 remains unmistakably Aston.

The M177 features a new exhaust system for more pronounced engine noises and better aspiration. And should you want to crank up the volume even more, Aston offers an optional titanium system, which also helps reduce weight.

S for sharper reflexes

Close-up of a black and silver alloy wheel with Michelin tire and a red "S" badge on a dark blue car body. — The DB12 S follows in the footsteps of the DBX S and Vantage S models.

Aston’s engineers complement the DB12’s extra power with the car’s optional Carbon Ceramic Brakes as standard for the S. The result isn’t just better and more efficient braking under duress.

But a reduction of almost 60 pounds of unsprung weight. That number might not sound significant right off the bat.

Blue luxury sports car with sleek design and illuminated headlights on a reflective blue surface. — The DB12 S is a serious and beautiful looker from nearly every angle.

However, all the trimmings add up and translate to a purer and more visceral driving experience. There are also stiffer rear anti-roll bars, and adjustments to the overall suspension geometry.

Rounding off the experience is a set of upgraded Bilstein DTX electronically controlled adaptive dampers. Along with a recalibration of the electronic rear differential and steering system, the DB12 S shapes up on paper to be the sharpest DB12 yet.

S for more style, too

Front close-up of a blue Aston Martin car grille and headlights with carbon fiber accents. — The grille, although large, helps to keep that potent 4.0-liter biturbo V8 cool.

An Aston Martin S model isn’t complete without changes to the exterior and interior, either. For instance, the insides feature S badges embroidered into various trim bits and even the seats.

But it’s also all offered in bespoke mono-, duo- and tritone themes that are only available on the S models. And while the standard DB12 is already a plenty darn nice place to sit in, the DB12 S gets even nicer with more abundant use of semi-aniline leather with the option of real leather or more judicious use of Alcantara.

Luxury car interior with blue leather seats, carbon fiber dashboard, digital instrument cluster, and touchscreen center console. — Interior upgrades help distinguish the DB12 S from the standard model.

The DB12 S further distinguishes its exterior with more aggressive front and rear fascias with more pronounced carbon fiber air inlets and flaps. On the trunk sits a lip spoiler, also made of carbon fiber.

While the exterior additions make the already stunning DB12 look even more sinister, they follow a form-following-function principle.

Rear view of a blue Aston Martin DB12S with illuminated red taillight and carbon fiber spoiler. — A more pronounced carbon fiber rear spoiler not only looks more aggressive, but helps increase aerodynamic downforce at speed.

Those air inlets and flaps help to improve overall aerodynamics by reducing drag and improve cooling where it matters.

Aston Martin hasn’t announced any official pricing figures. But with the standard DB12’s invoice starting at $350,000, you can bet the S is going to cost a wee bit more.

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