The big reveal from Aston Martin to mark their centennial year comes in the form of the all-new, mega-powerful V12 Vantage S. A fiery way to kick off their second century we think.

The all-new Aston Martin V12 Vantage S
The all-new Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

The V12 Vantage has always been a favourite amongst the supercar enthusiasts here at LUSSO HQ. So we’re understandably beside ourselves about this new flagship Vantage (expect starting prices in the region of £138,000), that’s packed with a 573 AM28 6.0-litre V12 engine and next-gen Bosch engine management. With 620 Nm and 5,750 rpm of torque, the hiked up top speed now maxes out at 205 mph. Boom.

In fact, outside of the One-77 hypercar, this new Vantage S is the fastest road-going Aston Martin ever to grace our newsdesk, which definitely gets our thumbs pointing skywards. Crucially, too, low rev torque – measured at just 1,000 rpm – leaps from 440 Nm to 510 Nm. This flattens and fattens (try saying that quickly for some fun times) the torque curve, which means the Vantage S is sharper and more alert than ever.

As far as looks are concerned, there’s no need for concern, as far as we’re um.. concerned. An all new carbon fibre grille creates a bold new front profile but the Vantage S has the same compact proportions and muscular stance that we know and lust. It does, however, get a new grille (inspired by the CC100 Speedster Concept which debuted at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring earlier this month) and a few other finely tailored alterations, like the pronounced bonnet vents and flared wheel arches, the new ten-spoke wheels (silver or satin black to choose from) and the re-engineered lightweight seats – so rest assured it still packs a visual punch around the proverbial chops.

It also boasts a new automated manual seven-speed transmission or, ‘Sportshift III’ – a major development of the gearbox that appears in the current V8 Vantage S, along with new ZF Servotronic power assisted steering that has a quicker 15:1 rack. The V12 Vantage S also gets adaptive damping for the first time, which means it’s comfier and more sporting.

Most exciting of all, perhaps, is the ‘sport’ mode button. If you can keep your finger off it for long enough for the crowds to gather then it’s worth the wait. Throttle response, gearshift speed and timing are all sharpened, and it makes the exhaust shamelessly deafening. In fact, that exhaust was derived from the One-77, and is much lighter and even more sonorous than the previous V12 so we’re talking brutal engine noises at work here.

It’s on sale this Autumn so don’t forget to bring your James Bond pose, your Amex Black – and your bottomless credit rating with you.