THE NEW ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE S - SHARPER, FASTER, ANGRIER AND PRETTY DAMN COOL!
Fresh off the heels of the DBX707 S, Aston Martin’s go-faster division is back at it again, this time turning the dial up on its front-engined sports car. Say hello to the Vantage S, a machine that doesn’t just turn heads, it snaps necks. With more power, more grip, and a chassis reworked for scalpel-precise dynamics, the Vantage S takes everything the base car does well and dials it into the red. This isn’t just a badge exercise, nope, it’s a proper evolution that ticks all the boxes. And yes, it’ll be making its dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025, because where else would you show off something this raucous? The Vantage nameplate already stands for driving thrills, but the “S” badge is Aston-speak for "don’t hold back.” First seen on the Vanquish S in 2004 and later on the V8 and V12 Vantage S, this latest chapter brings that same spirit of precision chaos. Under the long, sculpted bonnet lies an uprated version of the familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, now delivering a hefty 500 kW and 800 Nm of torque. That’s delivered with immediacy thanks to a bespoke drive-by-wire throttle map calibrated to the ‘S’ spec - tailored for each drive mode, with improved pedal weight for a sharper connection between foot and fury.
On the performance front, you’re now looking at 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, 0-200 km/h in just 10.1 seconds, and a top speed of a very healthy 325 km/h. Sure, the top end hasn’t changed, but how you get there is now even more aggressive and far more rewarding. Numbers are one thing, but the way the Vantage S feels on the move is where it really earns its stripes.
Aston’s engineers went deep on chassis refinement, starting with Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, now recalibrated for more response at the front end while easing rear spring aid stiffness to maintain low-speed comfort. A 10% softer transmission mount also helps the powertrain breathe with the chassis, improving refinement without dulling the edge.
The rear subframe is now directly mounted to the body, removing the rubber bushings to give the steering extra directness and precision. Add in fine-tuned caster, camber, and toe settings, and you get a car that turns in harder, grips longer, and stays composed when you’re on the limit. Aston says it now generates 111 kg of total downforce at Vmax - with 44 kg from a new rear spoiler alone. There’s more aero up front too, with a new airdam and venturi vanes under the body to complete the downforce package. The balance is still front-biased, which means faster turn-in and a more planted feel mid-corner. You won’t mistake the Vantage S for anything else - not with that centrally mounted twin-blade bonnet vent. Finished in gloss black or exposed carbon fibre, it doesn’t just scream aggression; it pulls hot air out of the ‘hot-V’ turbo layout, improving thermal efficiency and giving the front end a menacing new stare. The decklid spoiler stretches across the rear like a raised eyebrow, while the 21-inch Y-spoke satin black wheels with red graphics and bronze calipers add a hint of motorsport swagger. It’s still every bit an Aston, but with the gloves off. Branding is kept tasteful — just a discreet brass-forged ‘S’ badge on each front fender, finished in red enamel with a chrome surround. It’s jewellery, not marketing.
Slip inside and the Vantage S keeps the drama going. The standard cabin comes trimmed in a mix of Alcantara and leather with satin carbon fibre inlays, forming a lightweight, motorsport-inspired environment that still oozes craftsmanship. The ‘S’ theme continues with embroidered seat logos - each one requiring over 2,500 stitches and 16 metres of thread - and a choice of red or silver anodised drive mode rotaries, matched to the contrast stitching, welting, and seatbelt colours. Details matter. If you want something a bit more plush, there’s the Inspire Sport interior option: full semi-aniline leather, monotone or duotone, with chevron quilting and intricately placed perforations that mimic airflow. Even the engine plaque and door treadplates get the ‘S’ treatment. And if you're really feeling fancy, Aston now offers a debossed/embossed wing logo option for the headrests, an industry-first, pressed into the leather using 1.5 tonnes of pressure and a heated tool for a subtle 3D finish. Extra? Maybe. Gorgeous? Absolutely.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the creative crew at Aston Martin that was put together to showcase the all-new Vantage S, and they've done a pretty decent job that should temp the people who will possibly buy one, assuming they ever spend any time on YouTube, of course: Introducing Aston Martin Vantage S | The edge. Sharpened. | Aston Martin
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