Aston Martin launches new 680hp Vantage S

While the ‘S’ badge has been found on Aston Martins in one form or another for more than 70 years – all the way back to the 1953 DB3S, actually – in a modern context, the addition of an ‘S’ usually means a few key improvements. Think of the original V12 Vanquish S of the ’00s, then the V8 and V12 Vantage S of the decade after. And the latest DBX S, for that matter. A seemingly minor moniker change actually brings big alterations, with more power, sharper styling and a keener chassis. Typically they become the Astons to buy in their respective line-ups. 

Much the same appears to be true for the new Vantage S, which makes the resulting 680hp car a formidable prospect.  The standard Vantage is already better than we dared hope for a ‘standard’ Aston sports car, so the idea of one enhanced and boasting ‘a thrilling appetite for corners backed up by steadfast stability’ is hugely appealing. We were promised more model variants by Adrian Hallmark, and boy are we getting them.

The power upgrade seems fairly inconsequential given what the Vantage was already packing – 665hp to 680hp isn’t very much of a gain, especially with torque unchanged at 590lb ft. The S is outputting the same as a DB12 now, basically, and the 0-62mph time is a tenth faster at 3.4 seconds. Likely to be more keenly felt are changes to the weight and response of the throttle pedal, with new calibrations for all the drive modes to deliver ‘an even greater sense of connection with all controls working in harmony.’

The really important changes for the Vantage S, though, are in the chassis. It’s a far more extensive overhaul than might be expected so soon after the launch of what is a brilliant Aston Martin, but does promise to create something very special. The fact that the modifications extend to removing all the bushes for the rear subframe, mounting it directly to the body instead, is a good sign of the intent. The modification ought to improve steering connection. 

And that’s just the start for the Vantage S revisions. The Bilstein DTX dampers that have impressed so much in the standard car now benefit from ‘hardware tuning and software calibration changes’, again with the front-end response in mind. But this isn’t the Vantage track special (that will surely follow soon), so the transmission mounts are a little softer and the rear spring aid stiffness reduced, to preserve some ride comfort. The tyres are unchanged, so the S will use the same Aston-specific Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 as the normal car; the 21-inch wheels seen here are unique to the S. 

Aston has stated that the aim for this car was to ‘extract more agility and front-end grip from the Vantage platform’, which is some ambition given how the regular car scored on those attributes. It’s said as well that those gains shouldn’t come ‘at the expense of compliance and refinement’; in truth, you probably wouldn’t want anything much more aggressive than the Vantage for frequent use, so that sounds like good news. 

While a weird job has been done of photographing the fact (a grey car in a tunnel guys? Really?) there are a few key changes to the exterior that mark it out as an S. The fresh aerokit with more prominent lip to the bootlid brings more downforce, now 111kg at the 202mph top speed; again the front end has been prioritised when balancing out the aero for ‘exceptional turn-in response.’

New bonnet blades evoke the special versions of the old naturally aspirated Vantage, while red accents run throughout the car – from the badges outside to the drive mode rotary dial. It seems like the red pinstriping seen here is optional; as standard both the Lower and Upper Body Packages are Gloss Black, with a body-coloured roof and smoked rear lights. 

The inside is decked out with plentiful Alcantara, with ‘S’ logos everywhere to remind you it’s the special Vantage. The embroidered emblems in the seat apparently each use 16 metres of thread and 2,500 individual stitches, so you best appreciate them. Options include full semi-aniline leather if the Alcantara is a bit too racy, or going full track car and ditching the standard electric chairs for the carbon seats seen here. Safe to say there’s going to be a Vantage S specification to suit; it might just require a good session spent on the configurator. 

Interestingly, the S is immediately available in both coupe and drop-top forms. A price hasn’t been formally announced, though we’d have to assume something in the region of £200k. The Vantage can be ordered now and seen in action at Goodwood this weekend; first examples should be with owners before the year is out.