Aston Martin DB12 S: The Super Tourer Benchmark Reaches Its Ceiling

Occupying the top rung of Aston Martin's front-engine grand tourer ladder, the DB12 S is built on a single premise: a journey cannot be measured on a spreadsheet. Slotting between the regular DB12 and the mid-engine lineup, it faces the Bentley Continental GT Speed and Ferrari Roma in the ultra-luxury performance coupe segment. What separates it is focus — Aston has pulled 20 additional horsepower from the twin-turbo V8, shifted the ZF eight-speed 43% faster, and fitted carbon ceramic brakes as standard. The result is a car that treats every mile as the destination.

Why consider the Aston Martin DB12 S

The S is the distillation of the DB12 formula: more power, sharper responses, and standard equipment that would cost thousands as options elsewhere. Against the Bentley Continental GT Speed, the DB12 S undercuts in weight and feels more communicative through its electrically assisted rack, yet it retains enough compliance for transcontinental cruising. It is available in both Coupe and Volante body styles, broadening its appeal.

• Class-leading 700 PS (690 bhp) from a hand-built 4.0L twin-turbo V8
• Standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes with 410mm front discs, shedding 27kg of unsprung weight
• Recalibrated ZF eight-speed with 120-millisecond shift times
• Electronic rear differential working in sync with next-gen stability control
• Four driver-selectable powertrain calibrations including a Wet mode for poor conditions

Specifications and powertrains

Petrol — 4.0L twin-turbo V8. The all-alloy, quad overhead cam engine delivers 690 bhp (700 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 590 lb-ft of torque between 2,750 and 6,000 rpm. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 202 mph. The compression ratio is 8.6:1, and direct sequential injection feeds four catalytic converters. Official EPA fuel economy figures were not published at launch, but this engine family typically lands in the 14-18 mpg combined range in real-world driving given the 800 Nm torque curve.

Transmission and chassis. A rear-mid mounted ZF eight-speed automatic drives the rear wheels through a carbon fibre propeller shaft and an electronic limited-slip differential. Adaptive dampers and double wishbone front suspension are standard.

Payment reality

The DB12 S carries a significant premium over the standard DB12, which starts near the $250,000 mark in the US, making it one of the more expensive front-engine GTs on sale — above the Bentley Continental GT's base price and close to Ferrari Roma territory. Because Aston Martins historically depreciate steeply in the first three years before stabilising, lease terms and residual values matter more than the sticker. A high residual keeps monthly payments manageable; a weak one inflates them. Your exact monthly figure depends on down payment, term, and money factor, so use the calculator above with a realistic projected residual rather than a teaser rate.

Warranty and maintenance

Aston Martin backs the DB12 S with a three-year, unlimited-mileage bumper-to-bumper warranty in the United States, plus a corrosion perforation warranty and emissions coverage as required by law. Scheduled service intervals follow the brand's annual or 10,000-mile guidance, whichever comes first. Parts availability is strongest at authorised dealers, where technicians receive factory training on the twin-turbo V8 and ZF gearbox, but independent specialists familiar with Aston's bonded aluminium architecture now exist in major US metro areas and often undercut dealer labour rates for out-of-warranty work.

Who the Aston Martin DB12 S suits

This car fits buyers who want a daily-usable grand tourer with genuine supercar pace: professionals covering long highway stretches, weekend canyon runners who value steering feel over all-wheel drive grip, and collectors who prefer a hand-built V8 over an electrified alternative. If you rarely carry a passenger or need all-weather traction, the Porsche 911 Turbo S offers better foul-weather capability, while the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 delivers open-top comfort at a lower price. The DB12 S is for those who accept its running costs in exchange for the most potent front-engine V8 GT currently sold. See the full specification on the manufacturer's US site: https://www.astonmartin.com/en-us/models/db12-s