How's this for a new flagship Aston Martin with real 'S' appeal?

I have been driving the new DB12 S 'super tourer' which promises customers more assertive looks and performance, power and, crucially, natural driving comfort, than the standard DB12 which it effectively replaces.

Adding the 'S' suffix marks it out as highest performing version of an established model - joining an 'S' club pinnacle that currently includes the DBX S and Vantage S. Some 95 per cent of future DB12 sales from now are expected to be the 'S' version, says Aston Martin.

Available as both a two-door 2-plus-2 hard-top coupe and open-top Volante convertible, the halo DB12 S truly is the grandest of grand tourers which, despite its increase in horsepower, feels more engaging, fun and natural to drive.

On sale now, prices start from £205,000 for the Coupe rising to £218,000 for the Volante.

The exterior 'S' design tweaks make it look and act more aerodynamic and assertive - with more pizzazz than mere go-faster stripes would offer.

More power

At the beating heart of the DB12 S is an even more potent version of the Aston Martin 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine boosted to 700hp - an increase of 20 horses over the standard version.

For the coupe that I drove around Provence in the South of France, this cuts the 0 to 60mph acceleration time by 0.1 seconds to just 3.4 seconds (3.5 seconds for the Volante cabriolet) up to a top speed of 202mph accompanied by a distinctive new exhaust sound.

There are five drive modes: Wet for inclement weather, GT for grand tourer cruising; Sport and Sports+ for more invigorating performance, and Individual for setting your own preferences. I spent most of my time in the two Sport modes but found them accommodating and not at all intimidating.

That's because Aston engineers have introduced an extensive series of chassis improvements to increase agility, precision and connection with the road, without compromising comfort or refinement.

Powering up through twisty mountain roads was the perfect setting to experience how new throttle pedal calibration and reduced gearshift speeds (cut by more than 50 per cent) really does deliver sharpened response and driver engagement. Software changes also help smooth the ride.

Aston Martin engineers have introduced a more progressive accelerator pedal feel with a new S-specific 'drive-by wire' throttle that offers the driver an even greater sense of connection and control, and a more natural and intuitive feel.

So when I hit the throttle hard, it still accelerated swiftly but smoothly with a mature sense of speed that was devoid of jerky jumps or neck-snapping bursts. It also proved remarkably nimble on the tightest of mountain bends.

Its increased stability inspires confidence and rewards with enjoyment, especially when taking corners.

The steering wheel also self-centres more naturally. This is definitely a grand tourer designed for grown ups, not boy racers. You might even call it 'S' club heaven.

Carbon brakes as standard 

A boost in stopping-power is needed to cope with the increased horsepower.

As such, Aston has fitted carbon ceramic brakes as standard, with the added bonus that they reduce weight by 27kg compared to steel brakes. They also help provide a consistent feel when applied which benefits ride quality, steering, and dynamic handling.

A new predictive corner braking control system maintains optimum stability while braking into a corner - using more of the rear braking performance to maintain a tighter line from corner entry to apex. 

Aston explained: 'This system allows the driver to brake later and with improved stability.

'It provides predictable, precise and consistent cornering behaviour in all driving environments, from twisting country roads, high-speed highway junction exits or driving on a racetrack'.

Sporty new stainless steel oval quad tailpipes have been tuned for added depth, bass, and potency. 

An optional titanium exhaust system amplifies that soundtrack by further boosting bass, mid and treble frequencies and uplifting the sound level by 1.5dB. 

The titanium system also reduces weight by 11.7kg compared to the standard stainless steel version.

Looking good

Visual tweaks to the exterior have both aesthetic and practical roles. They include a new dual element front splitter which lowers and widens the look of the DB12 S to create a more assertive look while also generating downforce and guiding airflow around the front wheel arches to create stability and further reduce lift.

Bonnet louvres – finished in gloss black or an optional twill carbon fibre - help extract hot air from the V8 engine while also adding to the car's more aggressive front.

Gloss black sills on the flanks further enhance the DB12 S's the ground-hugging stance.

The bold, wide but aerodynamic rear of the DB12 S also makes an emphatic design statement while having a practical reason.

Below it sits a new rear diffuser which reduces lift while allowing space for the DB12 S stacked pairs of quad exhaust tailpipes which, in turn, are framed within a broader rear bumper for maximum visual impact.

Joining the 'S' club also means displaying S badges in key places - including hand-made versions in bright or dark chrome completed with red glass enamel - on the fenders just below each side strake.

Inside the car, the DB12 S comes with a choice of three interior leather and non-leather trims: Accelerate leather and Alcantara; Inspire S semi-aniline leather; and Alcantara and Inspire S full semi-aniline leather. Both of the Inspire S packages include herringbone quilting with micro-perforations and an Alcantara headlining.

The 'S' interior features include a red anodised finish to the knurled metal drive-mode rotary controller.

Red is also used to highlight seatbelts, contrast seat welts, contrast stitching and headrest embroidery.

Enticing options - which will push up the hefty basic bill even higher - include an Alcantara heated sports steering wheel; and iconic Aston Martin wings with sculptural depth applied to the seat headrests.

Sitting pretty

Flexible and rather comfortable and cosseting 16-way Sport Plus electric front seats are fitted as standard with the option of an even sportier race-inspired carbon fibre performance seat.

Aston Martin's director of vehicle performance Simon Newton said: 'With DB12 S we have carefully engineered a host of detailed changes which preserve signature levels of refinement, boost vehicle performance and amplify driver engagement.

'We believe this elevates the Super Tourer ethos to a thrilling new level.'

The new DB12 S joins DBX S and Vantage S to extend Aston Martin's revival of high performance 'S' models, with more in the pipeline. 

The 'S' custom began in 1953 with the DB3S road racer. 

More recent examples include the first and second generation Vanquish S – launched in 2004 and 2016 respectively - V8 and V12 Vantage S models introduced in 2011 and 2013, and the four-seater Rapide S, also launched in 2013.