Aston Martin Just Made the DB12 Better
The new DB12 S joins the DBX S and Vantage S that debuted earlier this year.
DBX S and Vantage S, which were added to Aston’s lineup earlier this year, both part of CEO Adrian Hallmark’s plan to offer more model variants. The new DB12 S receives several enhancements that should make it an even more exciting car to drive.
Under the hood, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine now makes 691 horsepower, an increase of 20, and 590 pound-feet of torque. The extra power, quicker shifts, and improved launch control cut the car’s 0-60
The car’s top speed is 202 mph.
The new DB12 comes standard with carbon ceramic brakes, which saves 59.5 pounds of unsprung weight. They measure 16.1 inches in the front and 14.2 inches in the rear and feature the brand’s next-generation corner braking control system.
Other tweaks unique to the DB12 S include recalibrated throttle and steering, tweaked Bilstein DTX dampers, and an improved electronic rear differential. Aston Martin engineers also stiffened the rear anti-roll bars and tweaked the camber, castor, and toe geometry for improved handling.
The hotter DB12 stands out from non-S variants with a few unique visual touches. The DB12 S features a dual-element front splitter that increases downforce and guides air in and around the front wheel arches.
The hood has new bonnet louvers, which Aston offers in gloss black or optional carbon fiber.
Photos by: Aston Martin
At the rear, the Aston receives a fixed rear spoiler, a new diffuser, and four stacked stainless-steel tailpipes. A titanium system is optional, which increases the volume by 1.5 dB and is 25.8 lighter than the stock exhaust.
Inside, the new variant features a red knurled metal drive mode rotary dial on the center console, which is a color Aston also uses for the exterior S badging. The cabin is available in three interior trim configurations and comes with leather and Alcantara.
You can order the DB12 in coupe and convertible configurations today. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Aston hasn’t provided any pricing information yet, but the regular DB12 starts at $250,000, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the price is above the $275,000 mark.
Aston Martins Are About to Get Even More Expensive
Aston plans to raise prices and cut imports due to tariffs. But the company isn’t passing the entire cost to customers.
Photo by: Aston Martin
By: Anthony Alaniz
May 1, at 4:30pm ET
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Aston Martin is finally narrowing loses after an abysmal 2024. But the threat of tariffs could cause new headaches for the British automaker. Adrian Hallmark, Aston’s CEO, said the company is limiting imports into the United States as the company monitors “the evolving US tariff situation.”
According to Reuters, tariffs could cause Aston to raise its prices by mid to late May in the US, a vital market for the brand. Hallmark told reporters during the company’s recent earnings call that Aston will likely pass along some of the costs to customers while absorbing the rest.
“It’s going to be a mix,” he said, according to the publication.
Hallmark also noted plans to decrease exports to the United States, saying the brand is remaining “vigilant in monitoring events and will respond to changes in the operating environment as they materialize.” Current inventory is expected to last until June.
While Aston has narrowed its losses through the first three months of the year, its revenue also fell 13 percent, which the company pinned on a decrease in “Specials” deliveries like the Valiant, Valkyrie, and Valour. Despite the tariffs, it “still expects to make significant improvements across all key financial performance metrics in 2025.” The company predicts it will also have a stronger second half of the year.
Deliveries for the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster start in Q2, followed by the Vanquish Volante in Q3. The new DBX S begins deliveries in Q4, filling out the brand’s revamped lineup. Aston expects to begin Valhalla deliveries in the second half of 2025.
Aston Martin Admits Some Customers Hate Electric Cars
Following multiple delays, the first EV isn’t due until later this decade.
By: Adrian Padeanu
Feb 13, at 6:46am ET
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In the early 2010s, there were reports about Aston Martin giving the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet the electric treatment. That never happened. In 2019, the production-ready Rapide E broke cover, but that one, too, failed to see the light of day. Plans for a Lagonda sub-brand that was supposed to sell only electric cars were also scrapped. Notice a trend? Fast-forward to 2025, and the Gaydon brand is still reluctant to launch an EV.
Based on recent promises, the first electric car from the British elite brand was supposed to be released in 2025 but was subsequently pushed back to 2026. The official word from recently appointed CEO Adrian Hallmark is that the inaugural EV will come “this decade.” Speaking with Automotive News, the company’s boss admitted that a part of the customer base “hates them [EVs] with a deep-rooted passion because they think they are being told they can’t have a V-12 or V-8. There is no better way to trigger a billionaire or multi-millionaire than to use the word, ‘No.'”
However, Aston Martin is noticing a shift in preferences as more and more people are “pro EV.” But circling back to the “this decade” timeline, it could mean the first electric car won’t come out until closer to 2030. When the day comes, it’ll either be an EV version of an existing model or a completely different car. The initial plan was to opt for the latter scenario. Still, the company is rethinking the strategy, so a zero-emission model based on a current nameplate is being considered.
Aside from the reluctance toward EVs expressed by some buyers, weight is also a concern. The company’s top brass explained that a combustion engine adds about 330 pounds (150 kilograms), whereas the average battery tips the scales at 1,543 to 1,763 pounds (700 to 800 kilograms). Hallmark said it’s impossible for the engineers to cut fat in other areas to compensate for the added bulk of the battery pack. The solution will come from solid-state batteries; when Aston Martin projects, it’ll shave off 30% of the weight compared to current batteries.
Aston Martin customers unwilling to buy electric cars are not a minority among one-percenters. A few years ago, before being acquired by BMW, Alpina said its buyers were not interested in EVs. More recently, Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac said last year that high-end buyers are not enamored with electric hypercars.
Aston Martin Rapide E
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While Aston Martin and Pagani are taking their time before dipping their toes into the electric super-luxury segment, Ferrari will unveil its first EV in October. Next year, Bentley will do the same by taking the wraps off its “urban SUV,” positioned below the Bentayga in terms of size. Rolls-Royce already has the Spectre coupe and will unveil a second electric model in 2025.
Had Bugatti stayed under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, it would probably have an electric car by now or in the foreseeable future. Mate Rimac admitted in an interview that the original plan was for the Chiron successor to lose the gas engine. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. The new Tourbillon features a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V-16 co-developed with Cosworth, a monster of an engine that sounds fantastic.
