The first thing you see are the blades. Two narrow carbon fiber vents carved into the hood of the new Aston Martin Vantage S, rising from the engine bay with quiet aggression. They are functional, drawing heat from the 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 beneath. But visually they do something more important. They signal clarity.
For decades, Vantage has been the distilled expression of the brand’s performance philosophy. Front engine. Rear drive. Power delivered with elegance rather than chaos. The Vantage S does not rewrite that formula. It sharpens it.
Adrian Hallmark, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin, said
“For many decades the illustrious Vantage nameplate has stood for the very best in performance, excitement and driving thrills. Those qualities were very much at the forefront when the new Vantage was launched to global acclaim last year. Exceeding those qualities was the challenge and motivation behind the new Vantage S. The result is a new benchmark in the front engine ultra luxury sports car sector; a car to excite Aston Martin’s passionate and discerning customers, and a vivid demonstration of the talent, scope and drive which exists within the marque today.”
Power With Purpose
At the center of the Vantage S sits an upgraded version of Aston Martin’s 4.0 litre twin turbo V8. Output now climbs to 680 PS at 6000 rpm, with 800 Nm of torque delivered between 3000 and 6000 rpm. The torque plateau is broad and immediate. In gear acceleration feels relentless rather than theatrical.
What defines the Vantage S is how the power is delivered. Engineers recalibrated throttle response to increase pedal resistance and connection, aligning it with bespoke drive by wire mapping for each drive mode. The effect is subtle yet meaningful. The car feels keyed in. Inputs feel intentional. Nothing feels filtered.
Chassis Over Spectacle
Aston Martin mounted the rear subframe directly to the body, removing rubber isolation and replacing it with rigidity. The result is increased steering clarity and sharper communication through the chassis. Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers receive both hardware and software recalibration to increase front end response. Rear spring stiffness is reduced slightly to maintain compliance at lower speeds, while transmission mount stiffness drops by ten percent to allow the powertrain to move more harmoniously with the structure.
Suspension geometry has been refined across camber, toe, and caster to maximize grip under load and improve turn in precision. Through fast sweepers the car feels planted and composed. Through tight corners it feels eager rather than nervous. The front end bites cleanly. The rear follows with confidence. It is not a car that overwhelms. It is a car that invites.
The centrally mounted bonnet blades are available in gloss black or twill carbon fiber, enhancing heat extraction from the hot V configuration while giving the front fascia a more assertive identity. Along the fenders, hand made brass forged S badges are filled with red glass enamel and chrome plated to match the finish of the Aston Martin wings.
At the rear, a full width decklid spoiler increases rear downforce by 44 kilograms at maximum speed. Combined with underbody enhancements including a new front air dam and venturi vanes, total downforce reaches 111 kilograms at top speed. The aerodynamic balance is tuned toward the front, improving turn in response and high speed stability.
The standard Accelerate interior combines Alcantara and leather with satin twill carbon fiber trim. Embroidered S logos on the seat shoulders require nearly 2500 stitches and over 16 metres of thread each. The Aston Martin wings are sculpted into the headrests using an embossing and debossing technique that applies immense pressure and heat to the leather. It is craftsmanship that feels deliberate rather than decorative. A red or silver anodised finish for the knurled metal drive mode rotary adds a focal point to the cabin, matched to seat belts, stitching, and detailing for cohesion. For those seeking greater indulgence, the Inspire Sport interior offers full semi aniline leather with diminishing chevron quilting that subtly suggests motion even at rest.
The Vantage S arrives at a moment when the front engine sports car segment is crowded with digital precision and measurable dominance. Yet Aston Martin chooses emotion over excess. Engagement over spectacle.