Aston Martin Vantage S: The Supercar Vantage

Picture the lights of the Scottsdale Quarter glowing in the distance as a sleek British sports car cuts through the desert night, warm air and the scent of creosote and sage drifting through the open windows. The car is the Aston Martin Vantage S, and it transforms Aston Martin’s already capable sports car into a genuine front-engine supercar.

The Vantage S builds on the foundation of the extensively reengineered Vantage, introduced in early 2024, with more power, sharper handling, and subtle styling enhancements that elevate it into supercar territory . It is the most performance-focused Vantage in Aston Martin’s sports car range, and it marks the next step in the revival of Aston Martin’s tradition of applying the ‘S’ suffix to special, high-performance derivatives of core models.

The Powertrain: A V8 Pushed Further

The heart of the Vantage S is an upgraded version of the Aston Martin 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The engine now produces 680 PS (671 horsepower), a 15-horsepower increase over the standard Vantage, while torque remains at an immense 800 Nm (590 lb-ft). Peak torque is available from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm, providing immediate in-gear response.

The power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The throttle pedal has been recalibrated with a resistance matched to a drive-by-wire map bespoke to the ‘S’, tuned for each of the Drive Modes, delivering an even greater sense of connection. The Launch Control system has been optimized, resulting in a 0.1-second improvement in the 0-60 mph time, which is now 3.3 seconds. The 0-124 mph sprint takes 10.1 seconds, and the top speed remains 202 mph.

The Chassis: Refined for Agility

The Vantage S benefits from a suite of detail changes to the suspension hardware, powertrain mounts, and control software to bring greater agility along with improvements in feel, driver engagement, and composure. Hardware tuning and software calibration changes to the Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers have brought increased front-end feel and response, while rear spring aid stiffness has been reduced to balance compression and rebound for improved low-speed ride quality.

A 10 percent reduction in transmission mount stiffness brings additional refinement by controlling the powertrain movement to the body and chassis. Further gains in directness and steering connection have been achieved by directly mounting the rear subframe to the body instead of rubber bushes. Finally, to maximize the benefits of these changes, the suspension’s camber, toe, and caster settings have been finessed to sharpen response, improve front-end grip under high lateral loadings, and precisely dial-in the overall dynamic balance. The result is a car which has a thrilling appetite for corners backed up by steadfast stability.

Aerodynamics and Design: Form Meets Function

Visually, the Vantage S has the looks to match its performance prowess. The car is identified by new centrally mounted bonnet blades that optimize the extraction of hot air from the ‘hot-V’ configured V8 engine. Model designation is restricted to discreet ‘S’ signature badging on the front fenders, each one hand-made with the ‘S’ infilled in red glass enamel.

At the rear, a full-width decklid spoiler is the most explicit indicator of the marque’s sharpened performance focus. The new rear spoiler increases rear downforce by 44 kg at Vmax, contributing significantly to the overall 111 kg of downforce at Vmax. The new spoiler has been used to tune the aerodynamics of the Vantage S, adding stability while ensuring the overall balance of downforce is biased towards the front-end to generate exceptional turn-in response. Further updates to the underbody, including a new front air dam and front venturi vanes, make up the additional 67 kg of downforce.

The car rides on bespoke 21-inch Y-spoke wheels in satin black with a red wheel graphic, elegantly paired with a contrasting bronze painted brake caliper.

The Interior: Luxury with an Edge

Inside, the Vantage S continues with bespoke ‘S’ cues. A unique Alcantara and leather “Accelerate” interior is standard, with satin 2×2 twill carbon fiber trim inlays. The interior is adorned with color-matched, embroidered ‘S’ logos to the upper shoulder panel of the seats, with almost 2,500 individual stitches and over 16 meters of thread. The ‘S’ moniker also appears on both the treadplates and engine bay final inspection plaque.

Customers can option a choice of red or silver anodized finish to the knurled metal drive mode rotary, creating a bold centerpiece to the cabin. The rotary is color matched to the seatbelt, contrast welt, contrast stitch, and headrest embroidery.

The Scottsdale Evening

The desert night has fully settled over Scottsdale. The Vantage S has completed its drive. Its twin-turbo V8, with the help of the recalibrated throttle and optimized launch control, has delivered the 680 PS that makes it the most powerful Vantage ever. The Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers and solid-mounted rear subframe have kept it composed through the curves. The driver, cocooned in the Alcantara and leather interior, has experienced a level of performance that was previously the domain of mid-engine supercars.

The Vantage S is not a car for everyone. With an estimated price of approximately £170,000, it sits at the top of the Vantage range. But it represents a significant moment in Aston Martin’s history. It is the car that elevates the Vantage from a sports car into a true front-engine supercar.

The Vantage S is not just a car. It is a statement. It is a reminder that even in an era of downsizing and electrification, Aston Martin remains committed to the pure, unfiltered joy of driving. The Vantage S is the peak of Aston Martin’s sports car performance. And it has never been better.