[UPDATE: Audi South Africa says it plans to launch the new S3 twins "in and around" the third quarter of 2021...]

Audi has whipped the wraps off its new S3, which is again offered in Sportback and Sedan guises.

Based on the fourth-generation A3 (and surely again sharing much with the upcoming Volkswagen Golf 8 R), the new S3 twins draw their urge from the VW Group’s familiar turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine.

Here, the TFSI unit produces an unchanged 228 kW and 400 N.m, which is enough for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 4,8 seconds, regardless of the chosen body style. The electronically governed top speed is 250 km/h, says the Ingolstadt-based firm.

A seven-speed S tronic transmission, quattro all-wheel drive and an S-specific sport suspension will all ship standard. The latter lowers the body by 15 mm, while an S sport suspension (with damper control) will be offered as an option.

Up front, the new S3 models gain rhombus-patterned grilles, while the housings of the side mirrors gain an “aluminium look”. Round back, you’ll find a diffuser with four tailpipes. A set of 18-inch wheels will come standard, while 19-inch items will be optionally available. Brake callipers will be painted black, with red versions offered as an extra.

Inside, there’s a new, more compact gear-shifter along with decorative aluminium or carbon inlays. A 10,25-inch digital display will be offered as standard, with the 12,3-inch Audi virtual cockpit (and its “plus” version) forming part of the options list. There’s also a centrally sited 10,1-inch touch display embedded in a large black panel.

Original article from Car