Aston Martin lifts the lid on Vantage S

Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark, earlier this year said that the firm needed to “focus its attention on customer retention and giving buyers reason to upgrade their cars”. 

The DBX S followed and now it is offering its hardest, most focused sports car to date: the Aston Martin Vantage S.

The new Vantage S is based on the recently updated second-generation car. It gains a bit more power, up from 489kW to 500kW, though torque is unchanged at 800Nm. But it is delivered at higher engine speeds, between 3000 and 6000rpm.

A throttle map evidently “further enhances driver engagement and performance feel”. There are also changes to powertrain calibration. An optimised launch control system cuts the 0-100km/h sprint to 3.4sec. That’s one-tenth of a second faster than before. 

New suspension, and revised engine mounts and control software bring “greater agility along with improvements in feel, driver engagement and composure”. The concept aims for better cornering speed and stability on track. 

The rear subframe now mounts directly to the body, for more “directness and steering connection”. New camber, toe and caster settings apparently sharpen responses and improve front-end grip. Aston says the Vantage S “has a thrilling appetite for corners, backed up by steadfast stability”.

There’s reduced rear spring stiffness for improved low-speed ride, plus a 10 per cent reduction in the stiffness of the transmission mounts. These moves maintain ride comfort at urban speeds.

Pick the S model by its new centrally-mounted bonnet vents and hand-made S badges on the front wings. There’s also red detailing on the 21-inch Y-spoke wheels.

At the rear is a full-width spoiler, adding 44kg of downforce at top speed. There’s also a new front airdam and venturi vanes, adding 67kg of downforce. More stick up front was the aim. 

Inside are Alcantara and leather upholstery, with S logos, along with carbon fibre trim inlays.

Read the NZ Autocar review of the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage.

Owners can specify a new, unique interior option package, offering red or silver finishes to the knurled metal drive-mode controller. The matches the colour of the seatbelts and stitching. A Sport interior package is also available.

The Vantage S will make its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week, with first New Zealand deliveries expected early next year. A modest price premium on the base Vantage is likely.