In fact, this Vantage S reminds us a lot of Porsche’s new 911 Carrera GTS model, which provides Carrera S performance in a Carrera 4 body. The Aston packages a more powerful version of its V-8 with some of the V-12 Vantage’s aggressive bodywork.

The V-8’s Advantage

In the S, Aston’s 4.7-liter V-8 has been massaged to produce 430 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque, increases of 10 and 14. There’s a new single-clutch automatic, dubbed Sportshift II, which adds an extra ratio (for a total of seven) compared to the non-S V-8 Vantage. The new engine-and-transmission combo ought to improve on the last V-8 Vantage we tested with the six-speed Sportshift transmission, which hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. A Sport button activates a quicker shift map and increases throttle sensitivity while also keeping the exhaust’s bypass valves open across a wider swath of the rev range. The automated transmission is standard (read: no available manual) because, Aston tells us, a majority of V-8 Vantage buyers opt for the paddle-shifted Sportshift automatic already.

Chassis changes include a steering rack that’s quicker (15:1 versus the non-S car’s 17:1), and a suspension that has been recalibrated with new springs and dampers. The front brake discs are larger and now feature six-piston calipers.

Looks Fast, Top-Down Version

The Vantage S, which is available as a coupe or roadster, patterns its side sills, rear deck, rear bumper, and carbon-fiber front fascia after those of the V-12 Vantage. A new 19-inch V-spoke wheel design is standard, while lightweight 10-spoke wheels are optional. The rear wheels are a half-inch wider than those of the non-S V-8 Vantage, and all four wheels are wrapped in new Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires that are 10 mm wider than the base car’s.

With a base price of $139,615 for the coupe and $152,615 for the roadster, the V-8 Vantage S isn’t a huge price leap up from a Sportshift-equipped “base” coupe ($126,365) or droptop ($139,365); those who want a manual transmission will have to settle for the non-S Vantage or trade up to the stick-only $183,535 V-12 Vantage. The Vantage S is available for order now, with U.S. deliveries scheduled to begin in early summer.