- The Aston Martin Vantage S has returned, producing 670 bhp and 590 ft lbs from its Mercedes AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8
- Aston Martin has also improved the chassis and throttle pedal calibration for better driver connection and overall experience
- The Aston Martin Vantage S goes from 0 to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 325km/h
Strap in — the Aston Martin Vantage S is back. The ‘S’ stands for ‘sport’ and the newcomer is indeed sportier, with the new 2026 Vantage S churning out 670 bhp of power mated to the same 590 ft lbs torque as the standard model Vantage. The horsepower is up from 651 bhp compared to the mainline Vantage (for context, the new Ferrari Amalfi sits at 631 bhp), with the Mercedes AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8 engine the same across both models.
Those stats equate to the Aston Martin Vantage S being 0.1 seconds quicker than before, completing the 0 to 100km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds.
In order to ensure the newcomer is deserving of the ‘S’ designation, Aston Martin’s engineers not only upgraded the Mercedes AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8 engine, but recalibrated the throttle pedal weight and response and incorporated new suspension hardware and powertrain mounts, as well as a retuned chassis for better driver engagement. A 10% reduction in the eight-speed transmission mount stiffness brings with it better control of the chassis and body, allowing for better connection with the road. Improvements in steering connection can also be attributed to the rear subframes being directly mounted to the bonded aluminium body (rather than using rubber bushings).
On the outside, Aston Martin ups the ante when it comes to sporty design cues — the Vantage S is distinguished by centrally mounted bonnet blades in carbon fibre or glossy black, ‘S’ badging on the front fenders, and a full-width rear spoiler that adds a hefty 44kg of downforce, contributing a 111kg total.
The Aston Martin Vantage S rides on 21” alloys with bronzed brake calibres, while inside the car, leather and Alcantara interiors are complemented by carbon fibre inlays. The car continues to assert its status with embroidered ‘S’ and Aston’s wings logos on the driver and passenger seats.
The Aston Martin Vantage S is now available for pre-order from approx. $360,550AUD ($235,000USD; before ORC), with deliveries expected to take place from Q4, 2025 onwards.
Words by John Deckard
