BMW celebrated Valentino Rossi’s birthday with a special edition M4 CS

Valentino Rossi, current BMW driver, is a motorsport icon among motorsport icons.

The Italian legend is, arguably, the greatest MotoGP rider to ever live.

He also has an extensive history on four wheels, having tested Ferrari’s Formula 1 car, as well as taking on the World Rally Championship.

Now, Rossi competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship – and BMW have celebrated his birthday in a special way.

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Valentino Rossi: MotoGP’s greatest ever rider

A full biography on Valentino Rossi would take far too long to complete.

Suffice it to say that ‘The Doctor’ is arguably the most iconic motorcycle racer of all time.

He is a nine-time World Champion. Seven world titles in the premier class. A fanbase that literally covers the globe.

Aside from his legendary exploits on two wheels, Rossi has proven equally adept on four.

In 2006, Rossi tested for Ferrari, and was just 0.7 seconds off the lap time of the legendary Michael Schumacher.

He also competed in the New Zealand stage of the World Rally Championship in 2006, driving a Subaru Impreza.

Before he retired, Rossi also took part in a one-in-a-generation crossover with Lewis Hamilton for Monster Energy.

At the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Rossi and Hamilton swapped machinery for the day, with Hamilton riding Rossi’s Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike, and Rossi taking Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 car for a spin.

Life after MotoGP: four-wheeled fun for Rossi

Ever since retiring from MotoGP in 2023, Rossi has been keeping himself busy.

He now competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for BMW in the LMGT3 class.

Rossi enjoyed a very competitive debut season in the Championship in 2024.

Competing with the WRT BMW team, the legendary, luminous No. 46 scored two podiums – second place in Imola, Italy and third in Fuji, Japan.

He and his team also scored top-five finishes under the lights of Lusail, Qatar, as well as in Brazil.

BMW’s celebrate their birthday boy

Now, the Bavarian motoring giant has decided to celebrate the legend – with a very special edition car.

To celebrate the No. 46 turning 46, BMW has announced the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46.

Both doors, as well as the roof, are emblazoned with a large ’46’.

Additionally, the navy car is accompanied by luminous yellow brake calipers. Because of course it is.

Rossi was naturally delighted at his new birthday present.

“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.”

Overall, we have to say that we love the new collaboration.

Anyone lucky enough to be able to afford one also gets some very cool presents of their own.

For one thing, buying a new M4 CS edition VR46 gets you a two-day Italian experience.

This includes meeting Valentino Rossi in his home in Tavullia, as well as a special BMW M Driving Experience at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – Rossi’s home race track.

We don’t know specifics on price yet, but it’s set to be around $155,000 – the most expensive BMW M4 ever.

Does anyone have some spare money they’d like to donate? Anyone?