MUNICH: BMW M GmbH has marked Valentino Rossi’s 46th birthday with the launch of the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46, a special model limited to 92 cars.
Two variants, Sport and Style, are each capped at 46 examples and carry Rossi’s signature racing number.
The Edition is based on the M4 CS and features combined fuel consumption of 10.2 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 232 g/km under WLTP, placing it in emissions class G.
Designers from BMW M and product experts worked directly with Rossi, the nine-time motorcycle world champion turned BMW M works driver, to develop the bespoke finish.
The Sport edition is painted Marina Bay Blue metallic with enlarged “46” graphics in Tanzanite Blue metallic, complemented by bright yellow accents on the grille, brake calipers and forged light-alloy wheels.
The Style edition uses matte Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic with the “46” in Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic.
Both feature exposed carbon surfaces, a carbon-fibre roof bearing Rossi’s signature and the VR46 logo, and interior engravings of Hall of Legends lettering.
The special paint and primer processes, carried out at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing and Landshut, combined high-tech automation and hand-finishing expertise. Each car’s unique livery required some 20 hours of work by a team of four paint specialists.
All units rolled off the Dingolfing production line between February and May 2025.
The vehicles were displayed at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este from May 23-25 on Lake Como, showcasing the fusion of craftsmanship and exclusivity.
Interior appointments include Night Blue trim with Sao Paulo Yellow highlights, M Carbon bucket seats with contrast stitching, a yellow centre marker on the steering wheel and door sills embroidered with the VR46 logo.
A “1/46” badge on the carbon-fibre centre console denotes each car’s place in the limited series.
Beyond the car itself, each buyer receives a “once-in-a-lifetime” package.
This includes a personal meeting with Rossi at the VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, Italy, and a BMW M Driving Experience at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, where Rossi has won GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup races.
Rossi, who retired from motorcycle racing in 2021, became a BMW M works driver in 2023, racing the M4 GT3 in major events such as the 24 Hours of Spa and Le Mans, and securing a podium finish in the Bathurst 12 Hour.
Rossi’s motorcycling record includes nine world championships and 115 Grand Prix victories across 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP classes.
His enduring “46” brand inspired Tavullia to reduce its town speed limit from 50kph to 46kph in his honour.
The BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 celebrates his transition from two-wheel legend to four-wheel racer and cements his continued partnership with BMW M.
