Aston Martin DB12 S Breaks Cover With 690 HP: The Sharper, Louder, Lighter Super Tourer

A New Apex For Aston’s “Super Tourer” Formula

Aston Martin has unveiled the DB12 S, a more focused evolution of its acclaimed Super Tourer. The brief is clear: amplify power, sharpen responses, reduce unsprung mass, and elevate the emotional bandwidth through sound and design. The DB12 S does this without abandoning the long-legged GT poise that defines the nameplate, blending grand-touring breadth with a more assertive performance character.

At the heart of the update is a re-worked 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Output rises to 690 hp at 6,000 rpm, while torque swells to a plateau of 800 Nm available between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm. On paper, that translates to relentless, elastic thrust and a claimed top speed of 202 mph (about 320 km/h). In practice, it promises a broader, more accessible performance envelope for both fast road cruising and committed back-road driving.

Powertrain: Broader Torque, Harder Charge

The DB12 S’s uprated twin-turbo V8 is tuned for immediacy and stamina. The headline increases roughly 20 hp more than before are only part of the story. The torque curve is the defining trait, with 800 Nm sustained across a wide, real-world rev band. That means sharper part-throttle response when threading through traffic, and abundant mid-range for point-to-point pace without constant downshifts. Together, these changes underpin the car’s claim to offer aggressive response and relentless acceleration while retaining refined cruising manners.

Quick Summary

Item
Details
Model
Aston Martin DB12 S
Engine
4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Power
690 hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque
800 Nm from 3,000–6,000 rpm
Top Speed
202 mph (approx. 320 km/h)
Key Upgrades
Carbon ceramic brakes, lighter exhaust options, enhanced aero, chassis and interior refinements
Brakes
Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) standard: 410 mm front, 360 mm rear
Weight Savings
−27 kg (CCB vs steel brakes); optional titanium exhaust −11.7 kg
Exhaust
Quad-tailpipe stainless steel sports exhaust; optional titanium exhaust (+1.5 dB)
Exterior Highlights
Gloss black sill extensions, redesigned splitter, forged “S” fender badges, fixed rear spoiler, new rear diffuser, wider rear bumper
Official Site

Soundtrack Engineering: Stainless Sports Exhaust Standard, Titanium Optional

Aston Martin has placed the acoustic experience front and center. The standard quad-tailpipe stainless steel sports exhaust is tuned to accentuate engine frequencies throughout the rev range, giving the DB12 S a deeper, more complex voice. For owners who want more intensity and less mass, the optional titanium exhaust raises the sound level by 1.5 dB while trimming a notable 11.7 kg. The result is a soundtrack that scales from restrained sophistication at a cruise to a richer, more urgent note under load an auditory match to the car’s visual drama.

Braking And Chassis: Carbon Ceramic As Standard, Unsprung Mass Down

A major functional leap comes from the standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB). With 410 mm rotors up front and 360 mm at the rear, the system delivers higher thermal capacity, consistent pedal feel, and strong fade resistance under repeated heavy stops. Crucially, the CCBs save 27 kg of unsprung mass compared with steel brakes. That benefits ride quality over sharp inputs, improves steering clarity, and enhances the suspension’s ability to keep the tyres keyed into the surface. In short, the DB12 S should feel more agile, more composed, and more communicative.

Aerodynamics And Design: Low-Slung Intent With Functional Details

Visually, the DB12 S signals its intent with a suite of assertive design elements that also serve aerodynamic and dynamic goals:

  • Gloss black sill extensions that align with a redesigned front splitter, visually lowering the stance and managing airflow along the flanks.
  • Forged “S” badges on the fenders beneath each side strake, offered in bright or dark chrome and finished with red glass enamel, providing a crafted, performance-centric signature.
  • Fixed rear spoiler to stabilize the car at high speed and improve rear-axle confidence.
  • New rear diffuser shaped to reduce lift, framing the signature stacked dual exhaust tailpipes.
  • Wider rear bumper that accentuates the muscular haunches and hints at the car’s increased dynamic bandwidth.

Together, these elements create a cohesive look: elegant from a distance, but clearly engineered for purpose up close.

Interior: Crafted Atmosphere With Performance Focus

Aston Martin references extensive interior enhancements for the DB12 S, aimed at reinforcing the Super Tourer ethos. Expect richer materials, precise detailing, and a driver-centric environment that aligns with the model’s sharpened performance brief. While the cabin remains faithful to the DB12’s grand-touring DNA—long-distance comfort, tactile switchgear, and modern infotainment—the S treatment elevates touchpoints and ambiance to match the car’s athletic step-up outside.

The DB12 S Proposition: Why It Matters

The DB12 S positions itself as the pinnacle of Aston Martin’s Super Tourer lineup by uniting measurable performance upgrades with hard-to-quantify emotional appeal. Lighter unsprung mass, stronger braking, and a broader torque band are the engineering headliners. The tuned exhaust, forged “S” badges, and low-slung aero accents supply the theatre. The result is a car that promises to be as rewarding to thread along a favourite road as it is soothing on a long cross-country stint—exactly the duality that defines the Super Tourer philosophy.

Official Site

Explore the Aston Martin DB12 S and the broader range here:
https://www.astonmartin.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What are the headline numbers for the DB12 S?

Power is 690 hp at 6,000 rpm, with 800 Nm of torque available from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm. Claimed top speed is 202 mph (about 320 km/h).

2) What makes the DB12 S different from the standard DB12?

Key differences include higher output from the twin-turbo V8, standard carbon ceramic brakes, a re-tuned exhaust (with an optional titanium system), weight savings in unsprung mass, and more assertive aerodynamic and design elements such as a fixed rear spoiler and revised diffuser.

3) How do carbon ceramic brakes improve the driving experience?

They offer higher thermal capacity, stronger fade resistance, and a 27 kg reduction in unsprung mass versus steel brakes, which benefits ride, steering feel, and dynamic stability.

4) What is special about the optional titanium exhaust?

It trims 11.7 kg and increases overall sound level by 1.5 dB, while enriching the tone across bass, mid, and treble frequencies.

5) Are the visual changes functional or purely aesthetic?

They are both. The gloss black sills and redesigned splitter help airflow; the fixed rear spoiler and new diffuser reduce lift and enhance stability, while the wider rear bumper and stacked exhausts communicate the car’s intent.

6) Is the DB12 S still a grand tourer or more of a track-day car?

It remains a Super Tourer first, blending long-distance comfort and luxury with meaningfully sharper responses and stronger braking for fast road driving.

7) Where can I find official specifications and availability?

Refer to the brand’s official website above for regional specifications, options, and ordering information.

Conclusion: Performance With Polished Theatre

The Aston Martin DB12 S is engineered to heighten everything enthusiasts value in a fast grand tourer. More power and torque, a richer soundtrack, lighter unsprung mass, and aero that earns its keep transform the DB12 into a more vivid, more communicative companion without sacrificing the elegance and long-range refinement that define the badge. For drivers who want a grand tourer with extra edge and the craft to match the numbers the DB12 S makes a compelling case.

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