As some of you may know, #VR46 is Valentino Rossi’s personal branding. What you may not know is how Rossi chose that number. In fact, the number 46 wasn’t his choice per se, but it was of great significance to Rossi. You see, Valentino’s father, Graziano Rossi, was also a GP motorcycle racer, and he tasted his first victory (3rd position) in 1979 at the Yugoslavian Grand Prix in the 250 cc category. Graziano used the number 46. Earlier that year (1979), Valentino was born. Now you see the connection, right? That’s how the number 46 became an incredibly personal brand for Rossi. Using that brand, he went on to become a nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion, earning the nickname “The Doctor” in the process. He turned 46 this year, and BMW is offering the M4 CS Edition VR46 – limited to 46 units, of course.
Why is BMW offering a tribute? Well, Rossi may have retired from motorcycle racing, but he has been involved in sportscar racing since 2022, racing with the W Racing Team (also known as Team WRT). Initially, he drove an Audi R8 LMS Evo II, but since 2023, he’s been driving a BMW M4 GT3. As mentioned, only 46 units of the M4 CS Edition VR46 will be on sale. Buyers will have the choice of ‘Sport’ or ‘Style’ themes. The Sport is finished in Marina Bay Blue metallic paint, while the sides of the car are branded with an outsized “46” in a darker Tanzanite Blue metallic. The Style theme does this in a combo of matt Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic and Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic. Both cars get bright yellow accents around key areas.
The carbon fibre roof gets a hand-painted VR46 branding in yellow and, of course, Rossi’s signature as well. Also, notice that one of the V spokes of the forged M light-alloy wheels gets a yellow accent—which, as on racing cars, indicates the position of the tyre valve.
Powering the M4 CS Edition VR46 is the same 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo petrol engine offering 404.5 kW (550 metric hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft). The engine is hooked-up with an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission and an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. There’s an Active M Differential as well.
The VR46 branding has been carried over into the cockpit as well. The M Carbon bucket seats come with Merino leather upholstery in a Black/Night Blue colour combination, with Sao Paulo Yellow contrasting elements. The centre console will have the limited edition numbering.
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