In Aston Martin, S is the Letter You WantAston MartinAston Martin will present its three S models—DB12, DBX, and Vantage—next week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.We drove all three and loved them, each in their own way.To see our favorite, read on.Next week, July 9-12, Aston Martin will show off all its S models at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: the DB12 S, Vantage S, and DBX S. They will even roar up the hill for all to enjoy.True, there will also be a Valkyrie, Valhalla, Vanquish, and an AMR25 F1 car, but those may be a little out of reach for the everyday multimillionaire. The cars you want, the cars you can afford if you sell major portions of the portfolio or cut the heirs out of your will, are those first three. I know, I just drove them all. I even picked a favorite. More on that in a minute.AdvertisementAdvertisement"The most potent, performance-focused set of series production models yet created by Aston Martin lead the line for the British luxury performance marque at the 2026 Festival of Speed," Aston said.Let's have a look, shall we?"Leading the line in the Supercar Paddock will be the marque's latest 'S' model—the ferociously fast DB12 S—a Super Tourer capable of class-leading performance with an intensified dynamic edge," Aston said. "Unleashing 700 PS (690 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque and covering the 0-60 mph sprint in a blistering 3.4 seconds, the new DB12 S stands as nothing less than the most powerful front-engine V8-powered non-hybrid model in its class."Mark VaughnBrokering all that power and torque, the new DB12 S features a recalibrated eight-speed automatic with shifts that fire off in 120-milliseconds, or just over a tenth of a second. You can't do that with a manual.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe S also means that the DB12 S gets improved damper software, optimized Electronic Differential (E-Diff), and a thicker antiroll bar, delivering what Aston Martin calls exceptional agility.Bringing the DB12 S back to Earth are standard carbon ceramic brakes that enhance stopping power while also significantly reducing unsprung mass. There's even a new exhaust note that Aston says is "more muscular."Next, consider the $270,500 DBX S. When I drove the regular S late last year I proclaimed it the best-handling SUV in the world. By adding the S moniker to its name it's now Best +1. Aston Martin more modestly says it's "perhaps the most engaging and responsive driving experience in its class." They ain't kidding.Aston MartinThe DBX S offers 727PS (717 hp), 900Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, a 3.3-second 0-60 mph time, along with a weight reduction of up to 47kg (104 pounds) versus the "base model" DBX707.AdvertisementAdvertisementFinally, there's the Vantage S, the model on which is based competition cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) (specifically the LMGT3 class, featuring the 24 Hours of Le Mans); IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (North American GTD class); GT World Challenge Europe; and the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft). After a drive you can see why."The benchmark for the marque's acclaimed front-engined sports car range arrives at the foot of Goodwood Hill with 680PS (671 hp) and 800Nm (590 lb ft) of torque available from its 4.0-litre V8 Twin-Turbo powerplant," Aston says.That's for a car that weighs just over 3500 pounds, depending on how you set it up. That results in the 0-60 mph time mentioned above of 3.3 seconds."Vantage S will power up the iconic hill, and, thanks to a drive-by-wire throttle map bespoke to 'S', also delivers an even greater sense of connection with all controls working in harmony."Aston MartinAs with the DB12 S, the Vantage S suspension hardware and powertrain mounts are tuned to bring greater agility along with improvements in feel, driver engagement and composure, while styling changes such as centrally mounted bonnet blades (what we might call hood louvers) and a full-width decklid spoiler at the rear ensure this model has the looks to match its performance prowess, Aston says.AdvertisementAdvertisement"These distinctive features combine immaculate design form with true performance-enhancing function," Aston said.My first drive was in the DBX S. Should you get one, you can save over 100 pounds of weight by swapping the panoramic glass roof of the 707 for a carbon fiber top sheet, along with opting for the S model's new front grille and rear diffuser, add lighter magnesium wheels and you're down by more than 100 pounds.Combine that with 20 more hp and you see how the craft's 0-60 time drops. On the road, preferably a twisty road, you'll notice the DBX S' slightly quicker steering and more responsive chassis with what Aston says is revised calibration of both the air springs and electronic dampers, increasing transient body control in order to reduce weight transference. In fact, even at maximum lateral Gs it doesn't roll more than 1.5 degrees. The spring rate also changes depending on drive mode, actively moving the roll stiffness balance through a corner to enhance grip and steering response.Aston MartinThe result is the best-handling SUV on Earth.AdvertisementAdvertisementThen, consider the $272,000 DB12 S. The Aston-built version of the AMG 4.0 twin-turbo V8 under that long orange hood manages to proffer its own character, one that is smoother and seemingly more linear than the jumpy response of the straight-outta-Affalterbach AMG products using this engine. In the DB12 S it makes 20 more hp than in the stock DB12, which lowers the 0-60 time a tenth to 3.4 seconds and will likely make for a quicker quarter mile.In the DB12 S, it peaks at 690 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque sent to the rear wheels via that transaxle and an electronically controlled limited-slip diff. The chassis this powertrain sits in is stiffer and you definitely feel that behind the wheel. It transitions from a gran turismo character in the DB12 to a Grand Theft Auto in the DB12 S. You might not want to drive it across country, but you will definitely want to drive it up and down your favorite mountain road all day.Mark VaughnAnd then there's the Vantage S. When I drove the then-new Vantage two years ago at Circuito Monteblanco in Spain I think that might have been one of the most enjoyable days I've had in a long and (in)distinguished career. The car was just a blast, its balance offered to you as a gift for you to malign at every corner you entered too early or got on the gas too late. The basic Vantage is yours to exploit, for good or ill.Add all the upgrades listed above for the DB12 S to a smaller, lighter package – 500 pounds lighter than a DB12 S – and you have a recipe for glee.AdvertisementAdvertisementUp and down Angeles Crest Highway I flew, giving rides to willing strangers along the way. "Wheeee," they'd all squeal, including an ER nurse named Sasha (always good to befriend ER personnel), and "Whee" I'd squeal back.Mark VaughnWhile you appreciate the 671 hp, the 3.3 or 3.4-second 0-60 is mostly theoretical, most of the time. It's the 590 lb ft of torque that really come into play when you're driving it the way the engineers designed it to be driven. And the suspension, stiffened up to embrace that power and torque, responds in such a lovely fashion that you want to name your next kid Van, short for Vantage.So yes, the Vantage wins among all the three Astons Martin S that are on the market today. An entirely reasonable $199,500 gets you in the door. See you at Goodwood?
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