Aston Martin V8 Vantage S (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

Good news for fans of Aston Martin's V8 Vantage, and especially those who found it a touch slow: the new, musclier V8 Vantage S. 

The Aston Martin Vantage S is a tweaked-up version of the regular Vantage, and a full production model. It's the fastest Vantage yet!

The biggest change is under the bonnet. The 4.7-litre V8 now has a stouter 430bhp, which makes it 20bhp more powerful than the Vantage N24 and 30bhp up on the N400 special editions.

There's 361lb ft of twist too. The Vantage S comes with the all-new Sportshift II seven-speed automated manual transmission, specifically designed for the Vantage S. Its short ratios are claimed to allow for slingshot acceleration through the gears and Gaydon claims a 20% increase in shift speed.

It should handle more sharply, too. There's a quicker steering rack (15:1 compared to 17:1 on the regular Vantage), while the brakes are now six-piston grabbers up front. New springs, dampers and Bridgestone tyres are fitted and ESP system recalibrated. It sounds like a thorough working over.

The bodywork has seen a few tweaks to mark out you're in the souped-up Vantage: there's a carbonfibre front bumper complete with larger air intake feeding the engine and brakes. New 19-inch V-spoke wheels are fitted as standard, but there is an optional 10-spoke light weight wheel option too.

Much of the style comes from the V12 Vantage. The side sills are claimed to widen the car's stance, while the rear hasn't been left behind with a new bumper assembly.

The Vantage S bridges the gap between the road and race car, according to Aston, which claims the new road car is heavily influenced by the  the 2011 Vantage GT4 racer.

The Vantage V8 S comes as a coupe and roadster and is available to order now.

By Sarah-Jayne Harrison