Volkswagen is introducing a special edition of its small T-Roc crossover, but it’s a bit different from a typical special edition.

    Instead of taking an existing model and adding more kit, the CityLife instead serves as a base variant for the range.

    It’s priced at $35,990 before on-road costs, or $1110 less than the existing 110TSI Style base model.

    It’s available to order now, with arrivals starting in September. Volkswagen says the CityLife will be coming here in “significant” numbers, much like the rest of the T-Roc line-up which remains one of the brand’s least supply-constrained models.

    Instead of the Style’s ‘Performance’ LED headlights, the CityLife features reflector-style LED headlights. It also swaps the Style’s 18-inch alloy wheels for 17s.

    Inside, it’s distinguished by different cloth upholstery, as well as pewter matte dash inlays.

    Like the Style, it’s powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. It’s mated exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

    Specification highlights for the CityLife include:

    • Reflector LED headlights with Light Assist
    • 17-inch alloy wheels
    • Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
    • Travel Assist
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Front and rear parking sensors
    • Reversing camera
    • Semi-autonomous parking assist
    • Keyless entry and start
    • Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
    • 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Wireless phone charger
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Paddle shifters

    The only option is metallic/pearl paint, priced at $700.

    Stepping up to the Style brings 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘Performance’ LED headlights, ‘sport cloth’ front seats, chrome roof rails and grille, drive mode selection, rear privacy glass, and a black roof and mirror caps.

    The CityLife nameplate was last seen on a special edition T-Cross launched in 2021, though it followed a different formula by taking an existing base model and adding extra equipment.

    Buoyed by strong supply – and perhaps helped by supply issues for the Golf and Tiguan – the T-Roc has assumed the mantle of Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle year-to-date.

    The brand has sold 2410 examples so far this year, putting it ahead of the Tiguan (2233 sales) and T-Cross (1904 sales).

    MORE: Everything Volkswagen T-Roc

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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