'Elegant, with a hint of menace' — welcome to Aston Martin's revived S cars The Times David Green 'Elegant, with a hint of menace' — welcome to Aston Martin's revived S cars new The full Aston Martin range has been given a sporty update The Aston Martin Vantage S David Green Thursday October 15 2026, 4.10am BST , The Times Listen 0:00 / · 5:41 min Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save Puzzles Challenge yourself with today's puzzles. I n addition to the big-name signings of the Formula 1 star driver Fernando Alonso and the design supremo Adrian Newey, Aston Martin made a quieter but no less strategic signing a couple of years ago in the shape of their new boss, Adrian Hallmark. The chief executive arrived with a rich history of luxury motor retailing, not least from his recently departed role at Bentley, where he returned the brand to consistent profitability. As Aston Martin broadens its portfolio and aims to take on the industry heavy hitters, this kind of pedigree signing was much needed. One of Hallmark's early directives was to diversify the model range with more derivatives, namely bringing back the S nomenclature. Every one of Aston Martin's key production models, the Vantage, the DBX and the DB12, is now offered as an S version. The S variant signifies a serious step up in performance, and the badge has history. Aston Martin can trace it back to the Twenties, when you could order a Touring or a Sport chassis. These Sport versions were known as S-types or simply S models. They then followed it up in 1953 with the DB3S, one of the most successful racing Astons of its era. Over seventy years later, the letter still means the same thing — sharper focus, harder edges, more power, revised suspension and added aerodynamic features. Most commented 1 Pope Leo walking and eating after lung cancer operation Europe 309 comments These S cars also lean into Aston Martin's presence in Formula 1, reflecting a more sporty side to the brand. To emphasise this, the Vantage S also serves as the Official FIA Safety Car of Formula 1. Luxury newsletter The inside track on tech, travel, philanthropy and the hottest handbags, cars and spas. Sign up with one click You've successfully signed up to the Luxury newsletter Explore our newsletters An error occurred. Please use the link below. Luxury newsletter Explore our newsletters Vantage S The Aston Martin Vantage S is an out-and-out sports car The Vantage is probably the purest distillation of the S philosophy. When the new Vantage arrived a couple of years ago, it was a genuine step change, going from what had always been a bit of a beefed-up, hot GT to an out-and-out sports car that took the fight to the likes of the Porsche 911. In S guise it goes even further: 670bhp, 0-60mph in 3.3sec, and 202mph top speed. Dump the right foot and all hell breaks loose; the back of the car squirms in anger, but keep the faith and it hunkers down, finds its grip and races off into the sunset. The exterior gets new bonnet blades at the front and a full-width decklid spoiler at the rear. New 21in Y-spoke wheels in satin black and red are exclusive to the S. Inside you get leather and Alcantara, and the S moniker embroidered on the headrests. You can get an Alcantara-covered steering wheel if you want the full racing car feel. You also know it is an S from the new badge jewellery on the wings: a brass letter S, infilled with red glass enamel. Vantage S Coupé ￡169,000; Vantage S Roadster ￡179,000 DBX S The Aston Martin DBX S challenges the laws of physics The DBX S is an interesting upgrade. The DBX has always been an SUV that you pick for style and performance over practicality, and the S doesn't apologise for that. Now with 717bhp, it outguns the Ferrari Purosangue SUV by a showboating 2bhp. Weight savings come from a carbon roof and magnesium wheels. As well as the additions seen on the Vantage S, there are also vertically stacked exhausts on the DBX S. The DBX is an extremely rapid and responsive SUV — opt for the S and you get something that further challenges the laws of physics. DBX S ￡210,000 Advertisement DB12 S The Aston Martin DB12 S is elegant with a hint of menace The DB12 might be the handsomest car on the road. Elegant, with a hint of menace. The S derivative removes any pretence of subtlety. A fixed rear spoiler and dual-element front splitter, combined with the extra 20 bhp for a total of 690, takes you out of boulevard cruiser territory and into snarling attack mode. And there's the sound. Opt for the titanium exhaust option and the eruption of noise is spine-tingling. Drive through any tunnel and it becomes childishly mandatory to drop a couple of gears and light up the acoustics. It's like having a very good-looking big dog on the end of a leash. Admired by many, but given a healthy distance by most, out of equal parts fear and respect. Its performance figures of 202mph top speed and acceleration to 60mph in 3.4sec only tell you half of the story. It's from behind the wheel that you feel the real distance between this S DB12 and the standard model. There's an extra shove of power, stiffened suspension, sharper steering and carbon-ceramic brakes as standard hauling it all back down again. Top stories 1 Shopkeeper in Kelly Clarkson row 'fears for safety' as CCTV released US news 2 US inflation hotter than expected as Iran war stokes fuel costs Economics Top stories 1 Budget 2026 predictions: when is it and what could be announced? Economics 2 Forget the property ladder, there's a new route to wealth Saving & Investing Aston Martin has always been a bit of a brute in a Savile Row suit. With the S line of models, the brute has spent a few hours in the gym and has doubled up on the protein shakes. The muscles are straining against the fine woven cloth. If you want your classic British motoring car with a little picante, tick the S box. DB12 S Coupé ￡205,000; DB12 S Volante ￡218,500 Life & Style LUXX Driving Aston Martin Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save