Aston Martin showcases a stunning suite of new ‘S’ models in a scorching line-up at 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Gaydon: Aston Martin returns to the majestic surroundings of Goodwood House next month with another breathtaking line-up of exceptional cars for the 34th annual running of the world-renowned Festival of Speed (9-12 July).
Taking place amid the spectacular surroundings of the Goodwood Estate in Sussex, this year’s festival will witness a display of nothing less than the most powerful and dramatic line-up of Aston Martin models yet created.
Leading the line in the Supercar Paddock will be the marque’s latest ‘S’ model – the ferociously fast DB12 S – a Super Tourer capable of class-leading performance with an intensified dynamic edge. Unleashing 700PS and 800Nm of torque and covering the 0-60 mph sprint in a blistering 3.4 seconds, the new DB12 S stands as nothing less than the most powerful front-engine V8-powered non-hybrid model in its class.
Featuring a recalibrated 8-speed automatic gearbox with rapid 120-millisecond shifts, the car’s dynamics have been honed to match its formidable performance. Handling is sharpened through improved damper software, optimised Electronic Differential (E-Diff), and a thicker anti-roll bar, delivering exceptional agility. Standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes enhance stopping power while also significantly reducing unsprung mass. Its assertive character is further amplified by a new yet more muscular exhaust note.
The exceptional DB12 S is joined at the event by a further brace of Aston Martin models freshly adorned with the exclusive ‘S’ nomenclature in the shape of the agile and dynamic Vantage S, and the imposing and supremely well-appointed DBX S.
Vantage S, the most performance- and track-focused Vantage in Aston Martin’s sports car range, naturally majors on epic power and exceptional dynamic prowess. The benchmark for marque’s acclaimed front-engined sports car range arrives at the foot of Goodwood Hill with 680PS and 800Nm of torque available from its 4.0-litre V8 Twin-Turbo powerplant. Covering the 0-60 mph dash in just 3.3 seconds Vantage S will power up the iconic hill, and, thanks to a drive-by-wire throttle map bespoke to ‘S’, also delivers an even greater sense of connection with all controls working in harmony.
As with the DB12 S, there are important changes to the Vantage S suspension hardware and powertrain mounts to bring greater agility along with improvements in feel, driver engagement and composure, while styling changes such as centrally mounted bonnet blades and a full width decklid spoiler at the rear ensure this model has the looks to match its performance prowess: these distinctive features combining immaculate design form with true performance-enhancing function.
DBX S, meanwhile, brings that more performance-focused edge to the luxury SUV segment – delivering the best of all worlds to the all-wheel drive five-seater. Returning to the scene of its hill-climb record-setting exploits of 12 months ago and boasting an engine enhanced by technology transferred directly from the Valhalla supercar, DBX S offers perhaps the most engaging and responsive driving experience in its class. The statistics speak for themselves: 727PS, 900Nm of torque, a 3.3-second 0-60 mph time and a useful weight reduction of up to 47kg versus the DBX707.
All this arrives in a package that includes dynamic enhancements aligned to the other ‘S’ models, along with styling enhancements inside and out that underscore the DBX S’s commanding presence on the road.
Underlining Aston Martin’s breadth and depth of exceptional supercar and hypercar offerings, festival goers will this year also witness dynamic appearances from the likes of the still sector-defining 1079PS / 1100Nm PHEV Valhalla supercar; Valkyrie – the ultimate hypercar; and the imperious new Vanquish – now celebrating 25 years and in its third generation of what has become the pinnacle of Aston Martin’s fabled front-engined sports car range. Each of these cars are exceptional in their own ways, and all represent exotic and exciting interpretations of the marque’s modern approach to high luxury, ultra-high performance motoring.
The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team will also be bringing the excitement and speed of Formula One to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The weekend will see the team run the AMR25 on the world-famous hillclimb, with both Jak Crawford and Jessica Hawkins making their debut runs at the summer festival in a Formula One® car.
Reflecting on the 2026 Goodwood line-up, Aston Martin’s newly-appointed Chief Commercial Officer, Andrea Baldi, said: “The Festival of Speed is always a landmark event for us and, once again, we have curated what I believe is a display entirely befitting of this celebration of automotive excellence.
“The selection of ‘S’ models on show emphasises our commitment to engineering excellence and driving excitement on-road, while giving festivalgoers the chance to see such exceptional Aston Martin creations as the AMR25 and Valkyrie, a true Formula 1® car for the road, underscore the depth and breadth of our automotive ambitions. We are, as ever, doing our part to ensure those in attendance have a festival to truly remember.”
The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed opens to the public on Thursday 9 July, and runs until Sunday 12 July.