Electric Cars

The newly unveiled 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S represents a significant leap in automotive engineering, meticulously crafted to enhance driver involvement. With a heightened focus on dynamic response and overall exhilaration, this model promises an intimate connection with the road, transforming every journey into an unforgettable experience. Its design and mechanical refinements are geared towards creating a harmonious blend of power, agility, and sensory feedback, ensuring that enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by its every nuance.

According to Simon Newton, the director overseeing vehicle performance and attributes, the 'S' designation on the DB12 signifies a comprehensive upgrade in both its power output and handling capabilities. He emphasized the holistic approach taken to integrate these advancements, ensuring that increased power and improved handling work in concert to create a deeply satisfying driving sensation. The core philosophy behind the DB12 S is to provide a vehicle where every moment spent behind the wheel is thoroughly enjoyable, transcending mere performance figures to offer a truly immersive experience.

Under the hood, the DB12 S retains the robust Mercedes-AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine, but with a notable power boost. While the standard DB12 delivers 671 horsepower, the 'S' variant has been tuned to produce an impressive 690 horsepower. This increase is primarily achieved through enhanced boost pressure, which significantly elevates peak power at higher revolutions. The throttle response has also been recalibrated for a smoother, more progressive feel, creating the perception of abundant power across the entire rev range without being overly abrupt.

While the mechanical tweaks to the engine contribute to a marginally quicker 0-60 mph acceleration time, estimated at 3.2 seconds, the more substantial impact on speed, particularly at higher velocities up to its 202 mph top speed, is attributed to the revised engine mapping. Furthermore, a retuning of the rear-mounted eight-speed automatic transaxle specifically for the 'S' model allows for quicker and more precise upshifts during launch control, especially between the first two gears, further improving its sprint capabilities.

Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of the DB12 S is its redesigned exhaust system. Featuring a unique stacked dual-exhaust configuration on each side, this innovation has allowed Aston Martin to meticulously sculpt the car's acoustic profile. Engineers have enriched the bass frequencies of the standard stainless-steel system and introduced a more pronounced midrange tone with the optional titanium setup. Even with the stainless-steel exhaust, the car produces an enchanting symphony, particularly when accelerating vigorously out of corners or echoing through tunnels, inviting drivers to constantly explore its auditory delights.

The suspension system has also undergone substantial revision to enhance the driving dynamics. While the dampers are slightly firmer, careful calibration of rebound and compression characteristics has paradoxically resulted in a more comfortable ride quality during everyday cruising. However, for optimal handling on challenging roads, it's advisable to avoid the softest 'GT' setting, as it can lead to a slight sense of looseness over uneven surfaces.

Body control in corners has been significantly refined through a 0.5-mm increase in the diameter of the rear anti-roll bar. This modification sharpens turn-in and creates the sensation of a shorter wheelbase, making the car feel more nimble and responsive. Concurrently, the electronic differential's 'S' settings have been adjusted to complement this change, offering greater freedom at the turn-in phase and quicker locking when exiting corners under power. A significant advantage for the 'S' model is the inclusion of carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, which are optional on the base model. This allows the suspension to be specifically calibrated for the reduced unsprung mass of these high-performance brakes, further optimizing handling and ride quality.

Visually, the DB12 S incorporates several functional aerodynamic elements. The front lip spoiler features biplane splitters at its extremities, contributing to improved downforce. A prominent stand-up spoiler adorns the rear decklid, and the stacked exhaust arrangement makes way for a more substantial and visually striking rear diffuser. On the test vehicle, many of these enhancements, including the roof, were crafted from carbon fiber, adding approximately $100,000 to the starting price of $300,100. For those who value the profound connection and exhilarating performance this vehicle offers, such an investment is arguably priceless.

Porsche is set to halt the manufacturing of its gasoline-powered Macan compact SUV this summer, signaling a significant shift in its product strategy. This decision comes despite the model's immense popularity and status as one of Porsche's top sellers and most affordable offerings. The move will leave a temporary void in the brand's conventional compact SUV lineup until a new internal combustion engine (ICE) successor arrives in 2028.

The current Macan will be succeeded by the electric variant, the Macan Electric, which debuted in 2024. This transition highlights Porsche's commitment to electrification, even as it navigates challenges in electric vehicle demand. The absence of a direct gasoline replacement for approximately two years is expected to impact Porsche's sales figures in the compact SUV segment.

The End of an Era: Gasoline Macan Production Ceases

Porsche's decision to discontinue the gasoline-powered Macan by this summer marks a pivotal moment for the luxury automaker. Despite its role as one of Porsche's best-selling and most accessible models, the company confirmed during a recent earnings call that production would wrap up in July. This move, which sees the elimination of a conventional ICE option, is a bold step towards an electrified future, but it also creates a strategic gap for the brand.

The Macan, which received its last refresh in 2022, has been a significant contributor to Porsche's sales success, alongside the larger Cayenne. In the past year, Porsche sold 27,139 Macan units in the U.S., with the vast majority being gasoline-powered. This strong performance underscores the potential sales impact of removing the ICE model from the market, especially with the electric version still gaining traction.

Transition to Electric and Future Plans

While the gasoline Macan is being phased out, the Macan Electric, launched in 2024, will carry on the nameplate. This electric model is a crucial part of Porsche's long-term electrification strategy. However, the company acknowledges that the demand for EVs hasn't escalated as rapidly as initially projected, leading to some uncertainty in the compact SUV segment.

To address the gap left by the departing gasoline Macan, Porsche plans to introduce a new internal combustion engine successor around 2028. This upcoming model is expected to feature both pure-gas and hybrid powertrains, utilizing the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, similar to the latest Audi Q5. This strategy aims to bridge the interim period where Porsche will lack a direct gasoline-powered competitor in a crucial market segment, potentially affecting sales in the coming years.