Aston Martin has been busy reviving its legendary “S” badge, and the latest recipient is perhaps the most fitting yet. The new Vantage S is a proper statement piece that takes an already formidable sports car and pushes it into legitimate supercar territory. With nearly 700hp on tap and a chassis that’s been reworked from the ground up, this might be the most complete front-engine sports car Aston has ever built.
The “S” Legacy Lives On
The “S” suffix carries serious weight at Aston Martin, dating back to the 1953 DB3S that finished second at Le Mans three consecutive times. Following a line of iconic models spanning decades — the Vanquish S and both V8 and V12 Vantage S variants that were discontinued back in 2018 — the revived Vantage S continues the tradition but is working from a significantly higher baseline than its predecessors.
Leveling up even the V12 Vantage S from a decade ago, this new iteration features an AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that’s been massaged to produce 680 ponies at 6,000 rpm, up from the standard car’s already impressive 656hp. More importantly, it maintains the same 590lb.ft of torque but delivers it across a broader band.
Rounding out the specs, the vehicle has a 3.3-second 0-60 time and a 202 mph top speed, putting the Vantage S in serious supercar company. The launch control system has been refined to extract every tenth, while throttle pedal weighting and response have been specifically tuned for the “S” character across different drive modes.
Engineering Philosophy
Aston Martin has managed to make the car both more aggressive and more refined, a balance that’s harder to achieve than it sounds. The Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers have been recalibrated to provide sharper front-end response while actually improving low-speed ride quality through softer rear springs.
Meanwhile, the chassis modifications go deeper, with a rear subframe now mounted directly to the aluminum spaceframe instead of using rubber bushings, creating a more direct connection between driver inputs and road response. It’s combined with revised camber, toe, and caster settings for a more powerful feel.
A Statement Piece
Available in both coupe and roadster body styles, the Vantage S balances aggression and elegance. The centerpiece is a set of carbon fiber hood blades that optimize airflow from the hot-V engine configuration for thermal management. The full-width rear spoiler adds 97lbs of downforce at maximum speed, contributing to a total of 245lbs when combined with underbody modifications. To increase the car’s presence, the hand-forged brass “S” badges on the front fenders, filled with red glass enamel, are particularly nice touches that speak to Aston’s commitment to even the smallest details.
The interior continues this theme with embroidered “S” logos that require 2,500 individual stitches and about 52.5ft of thread per seat. An optional red or silver anodized drive mode rotary looks like a literal piece of jewelery, while Alcantara and carbon fiber details are found throughout. But as luxurious as the new Vantage S might look, its performance makes it destined for the track instead.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S
Engine: 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8
Power: 680hp
Torque: 590lb.ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
0-60: 3.3 seconds
Top Speed: 202 mph
Body Styles: Coupe and Roadster
Pricing & Availability
Aston Martin hasn’t released specific pricing for the Vantage S, though expect it to have a significant premium over the standard car’s already substantial price point, bordering on $200k. Orders are being taken now, with deliveries beginning late 2025.
Recap
2026 Aston Martin Vantage S
After discontinuing the badge in 2018, Aston Martin revives the Vantage S, which has supercar-like specs such as 680hp and a 3.3-second sprint time.
