2026 Aston Martin Vantage S Features a Splitter That Will Excite Hellcat Enthusiasts

      Alex Bernstein/Aston Martin

      

      Get The Drive’s daily newsletter

      

      The latest car news, reviews, and features.

      It's hard to believe, but the current-generation Aston Martin Vantage has been around for seven years. During this time, the V12 model made a much-appreciated comeback for a limited run, and Aston Martin is now demonstrating that the story of the Vantage is not over yet. Introducing the Vantage S: a sharper, faster coupe featuring a 670-horsepower twin-turbo V8 and various chassis adjustments to enhance its performance at the limit. Oh—and this specific example appears to have a splitter that looks as if it had its shipping guards painted on.

      That's the impression I get from Aston's press images. The colorful trim around the aerodynamic elements seems a bit excessive to me, and I still believe the sports car looked significantly better prior to its facelift last year. However, no one will mistake this for a standard Vantage. Aston Martin claims this version of the coupe is more responsive at the front, thanks to recalibrated Bilstein dampers. Improvements have been made to camber, toe, and caster for enhanced grip, without sacrificing cruising comfort. For instance, the rear springs have been softened to improve ride quality at lower speeds.

      Aston states that the rear subframe is now directly attached to the body, eliminating rubber bushings, in an effort to achieve more solid dynamics. The weight of the throttle pedal has also been adjusted, and this refinement will be unique to the Vantage S.

      At the core of the vehicle is the well-known Mercedes-AMG-sourced four-liter twin-turbo V8, which now generates 670 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. This marks an increase of 15 hp compared to the current standard Vantage, and it is only 20 hp less than the V12. Unfortunately, those seeking a manual transmission will not find one here. The vehicle retains an eight-speed automatic transmission located at the rear, although Aston notes that the stiffness of its mounts has been decreased by 10%, “allowing the vehicle to breathe in harmony with the road,” whatever that entails.

      The Vantage S will be available in both coupe and roadster versions once deliveries begin in the final quarter of this year. If you're eager to see one in action, you can stream the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, or, ideally, attend in person—I’ve heard it’s one of those events that’s better experienced live.

      Got tips? Send them to [email protected]