Aston Martin Vantage S: Sharper, Stronger, Still Rear-Drive

The S moniker has always carried weight, usually amounting to the most resolved derivative thanks to a raft of changes putting the driver first and foremost. The old V8 Vantage S, Vanquish S and DBS are all testament to the lineage.

For the 2025 V8 Vantage S, Aston Martin sees no reason to change a successful formula. If anything, the 15bhp hike in power is one of the more moderate improvements compared to elsewhere: illustrating the more focused nature of the S, the rear subframe is now directly mounted, sans rubber bushes. Given the regular V8 Vantage is already 29 percent stiffer than its predecessor, torsional rigidity will no doubt be exceptional.

Aston Martin claims a lot of effort has also gone into increasing feel and response from the front end with revised camber, caster and toe settings, while the adaptive Bilstein DTX dampers have been recalibrated alongside a fine-tuning of the spring rates. Five drive modes remain: Wet, Sport, Sport Plus, Track, and Individual.

In order to retain the standard V8 Vantage’s bandwidth, engineers have dialled back the aggression in other areas, with the transmission mount stiffness reduced by ten percent.

Another area of attention has been the throttle calibration and pedal weighting. Updates to the drive-by-wire system include a revised launch control, shaving 0.1 seconds off the benchmark 0-62mph sprint, which stands at 3.3s. Other performance metrics include 0-124mph in 10.1s, while the top speed remains unchanged at 202mph.

No specifics have been given about what’s changed under the bonnet beyond confirming the 15bhp gain, bringing the car into line with the DB12. The torque output of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 remains the same at a nice, round 800Nm - 580lb-ft in old money. That’s sustained between 3000 and 6000rpm.

Like the power output, the visual cues to the Vantage S are more subtle than previous efforts - the new car differentiates itself mostly through function rather than form. New carbon fibre bonnet ‘blades’ help the engine better dissipate heat, while aerodynamics have been improved courtesy of a revised front airdam with additional venturi vanes. At the rear, a discreet new lip spoiler sits atop of the ducktail, said to increase downforce by 44kg at Vmax. Total downforce is now a claimed 111kg.

Smoked rear tail lights and optional red-detailed 21-inch Y-spoke wheels are the only true stylistic flourishes, alongside subtle ‘S’ badging on the front wings – finished in red enamel and chrome. Carbon packs remain optional, including the roof.

Inside, the standard ‘Accelerate’ interior pairs Haircell leather with Alcantara, featuring the S monogram embedded into the seat shoulders. The drive mode rotary dial is available in anodised red or silver, colour-matched to the seatbelts and contrast stitching. The optional ‘Inspire Sport’ packages bring semi-aniline leather and chevron-quilted seats. Going the other way is the lightweight carbon-fibre performance seat.

The new V8 Vantage S will be available in Coupe and Roadster formats from launch, with customer deliveries due to begin in Q4 2025. For those keen to see the car in action, it will make its public debut at this week's Goodwood Festival of Speed.