The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S is a masterclass in understated refinement, where a series of subtle tweaks elevate the already exceptional Vantage to new heights of driver engagement. Unlike the more powerful Vantage variants, which prioritize raw speed, the S model focuses on precision and agility, thanks to a series of carefully calibrated adjustments to the chassis and suspension. The engine, a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, produces a healthy 670 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, all directed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the added muscle results in a 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph, a tenth quicker than the standard Vantage, it's the chassis and suspension work that truly sets the Vantage S apart. The revised setup features new camber, toe, and caster settings, and the Bilstein adaptive dampers are retuned for improved handling and feedback. The rear subframe is also mounted directly to the ...
The 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S is a masterclass in understated refinement, where a series of subtle tweaks elevate the already exceptional Vantage to new heights of driver engagement. Unlike the more powerful Vantage variants, which prioritize raw speed, the S model focuses on precision and agility, thanks to a series of carefully calibrated adjustments to the chassis and suspension.
The engine, a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, produces a healthy 670 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, all directed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the added muscle results in a 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph, a tenth quicker than the standard Vantage, it’s the chassis and suspension work that truly sets the Vantage S apart.
The revised setup features new camber, toe, and caster settings, and the Bilstein adaptive dampers are retuned for improved handling and feedback. The rear subframe is also mounted directly to the body, replacing two rubber bushings found in the standard Vantage, for a stiffer overall structure. These changes don’t drastically alter the Vantage’s personality, but they help the car feel incredibly responsive and agile.
The steering is dialed in, with weight building progressively, clearly communicating how well the front end is gripping the pavement. The suspension glides over most bumps while minimizing body roll. As you throttle out of a corner, the rear end squats and loads up before rocketing forward, like a finely tuned machine.
The Vantage S flows through twisty sections with ease, but instead of dissecting the corners with clinical precision, it plays in them, romping around with boisterous delight. The Vantage seems to revel when you drive it hard, inviting you to carry more speed through the corner and get more aggressive with the accelerator as you exit.
While the cabin hasn’t changed much from the standard car, it’s still filled with lush Alcantara and supple leather, adorned with more S logos and accented by carbon-fiber inlays. The 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster is paired with a 12.5-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay Ultra allows access to car settings without having to leave CarPlay.
The Vantage S is already on sale, starting at $199,500, just $5000 more than the standard car. While the S model isn’t a dramatic rethinking of the Vantage, the series of small tweaks work in harmony to provide a poised but playful partner that has a wider bandwidth thanks to its balanced setup.
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