VALENTINO ROSSI TURNS 46 - BMW M MARKS THE OCCASION WITH THE M4 CS EDITION VR46.
Few names in motorsport command the kind of reverence that Valentino Rossi does. The 9-time world champion redefined motorcycle racing and became a global icon in the process. Now, as he hits the milestone age of 46, BMW M is honouring "The Doctor" in a way only they can - by creating an exclusive, Rossi-themed tribute in the form of the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46. Limited to just 46 units - as expected - this car is more than just a badged-up M4 - it embodies Rossi’s style, attitude, and, most importantly, performance. Crafted at BMW’s Dingolfing plant, the M4 CS Edition VR46 arrives in two distinct flavours - Sport and Style - each dripping in exclusivity. Rossi was personally involved in their design, ensuring they captured his signature flair. The Sport version wears a striking Marina Bay Blue metallic coat, contrasted by an oversized “46” in Tanzanite Blue metallic along the sides. The Style variant flips the script, opting for a more aggressive Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic body, with its “46” finished in Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic. Yellow - Rossi’s unmistakable signature colour - makes its presence known in all the right places. The kidney grille outline, a single V-spoke on the M forged wheels, the M Sport brake calipers, and a subtle accent strip over the door frames (on the Sport model) all glow in bright yellow. The carbon fibre roof, hand-painted for each car, features a massive VR46 logo and Rossi’s signature, making sure no one mistakes this for just another M4. Inside, the motorsport inspiration continues. The M Carbon bucket seats are wrapped in Black/Night Blue Merino leather, with a splash of Sao Paulo Yellow in the Alcantara shoulder areas. The VR46 logo is stitched into the headrests and door sills, and even the M Alcantara steering wheel features yellow contrast stitching and a centre marker. Each of the 46 units gets an “X/46” badge on the carbon fibre centre console, cementing its rarity.
Of course, a car carrying both an M badge and Valentino Rossi’s name can’t just be about aesthetics - it has to be a monster on the road and track. BMW didn’t disappoint. Under the hood is the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six found in the M4 CS, but with 405 kW at its disposal thanks to increased boost pressure of 2.1 bar and some engine mapping tweaks. Power is fed through an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission to BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, assisted by an Active M Differential. The results? A 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds, or 3.1 seconds using the industry-standard 1-foot rollout method like my mate Mark Jones does on the daily. Flat out, it’ll do 302 km/h - because, of course, Rossi wouldn’t have it any other way. BMW has fine-tuned the engine mounts for sharper response, while the cooling and oiling systems have been optimized for track abuse. The soundtrack comes courtesy of a titanium rear silencer, feeding into an M dual-branch exhaust with active flaps and quad matte-black tailpipes. This thing screams. Straight-line speed is just part of the story. The adaptive M suspension has been specifically dialled in for the VR46 edition, with custom axle kinematics, bespoke wheel camber settings, recalibrated dampers, anti-roll bars, and springs. Steering is handled by an M Servotronic system with a variable ratio while stopping duties are taken care of by M carbon-ceramic brakes.
The number 46 has been Rossi’s identity since day one. Unlike many world champions who swap their numbers for the prestigious “1” after claiming a title, Rossi never abandoned his beloved 46 - a tribute to his father, Graziano Rossi, who also raced under the same number. Today, it’s a global motorsport icon, and with this M4 CS Edition, it cements its place on four wheels as well. Buying one of these 46 machines isn’t just about getting a limited-edition M4 - it also comes with an invitation to a two-day VIP experience in Italy. Owners will visit the VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, meet Valentino Rossi in person, enjoy a barbecue and motorsport discussions, and then head to Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for a BMW M Driving Experience in the latest M models. Notably, Rossi himself won at Misano in a BMW M4 GT3 in both 2023 and 2024, making this a fitting setting for an unforgettable experience.
"There is no other brand that has motorsport so deeply rooted in its DNA as BMW M. I am proud to be a BMW M works driver and to share this passion. The fact that there is now a special VR46 edition, in which I was involved from the very beginning of the design process, makes me proud. When I see the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 out on the road or on the race track later, it will be very cool.” says Rossi.
Take a look at the YouTube video that does a lil bit of a walkaround of this really cool limited edition M car that will no doubt have lifelong MotoGP and Rossi fans mortgaging the house to place an order. You may need to put subtitles on with an auto translate to English if you're not fluent in German - like us: BMW M4 CS VR46 Edition & Edition Pro – Rossis legendäre 46 wird gefeiert! | tuningblog.eu
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