The new Aston Martin DB12 S<\/a> is all about “engagement,” according to Simon Newton, director of vehicle performance and attributes. He used the word over and over when describing the Aston Martin DB12 S, and after we spent some time with one, we fully understand. Once you make its acquaintance, you’ll likely want to marry it. <\/p>\n Simon says (sorry, we had to do that) that the S moniker, as applied to the DB12, indicates elevated performance and handling, with an emphasis on bringing those attributes together in a “holistic” way. A big power number and improved handling make little sense if you don’t enjoy every mile behind the wheel, and in the DB12 S, you absolutely do.<\/p>\n As in the regular DB12, power is provided by a Mercedes-AMG\u2013sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. The standard car makes 671 horsepower, but the S has been pumped up to 690 horses thanks to more boost pressure. It’s all at the upper end of the rev range, pushing the peak to higher heights. It also feels better throughout, thanks to a more progressive throttle tune that isn’t jumpy but gives the impression of more power everywhere. <\/p>\n The thing is, the claimed tenth-of-a-second improvement to 60 mph (we estimate 3.2 seconds) is likely not the result of the engine tweaks, although the do manifest themselves at higher speeds on the way to a said top speed of 202 mph. Instead, we’re told it’s more likely the result of quicker one-two (and two-three, but that’s past 60 mph) launch-control upshifts due to an S-specific retune of the rear-mounted eight-speed automatic transaxle.<\/p>\n It’s really the changes to the exhaust system that make you want to give this car the beans all the time. The S has a stacked pair of exhausts per side, and this change opened the door to altering the tone and timbre. So, Aston pumped up the bass on the standard stainless-steel system and also layered on more midrange with the optional titanium setup. Our car had the stainless-steel system, but it still sounded magical accelerating out of a corner or reverberating through a tunnel.<\/p>\n The suspension changes also make the S enjoyable. It’s not at all softer, because it’s a slightly firmer damper tune, but the balance of rebound and compression has been tweaked so that, somehow, the rolling comfort is more agreeable. Even so, you don’t necessarily want the dampers set to their softest setting, GT, because the car can begin to move around a wee bit on bumpier back roads.<\/p>\n
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