Many happy returns! BMW mark Valentino Rossi's 46th birthday with M4 CS Edition VR46 sports car

BMW‘s four-wheeled division have announced a limited edition M4 CS Edition VR46 sports car in celebration of nine-time Grand Prix world champion, Valentino Rossi turning 46 years old.

• Read about the 2024 BMW M4 facelift on sister title CAR

The Italian racing legend is now a BMW M works driver and recently celebrated a podium at the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race in Australia.

• Related: 2015 Valentino Rossi interview

“There is no other brand that has motorsport so deeply rooted in its DNA as BMW M,” Valentino Rossi said. “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 racetrack later, it will be very cool.”

The special car will be limited to just 46 units in both ‘Sport’ and ‘Style’ trim – a nod to the number he’s always favoured in both motorcycle and car racing.

Lucky owners will also get a personal meeting with Rossi at his VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, Italy – plus a driving experience at the Misano race track the following day.

Powering the special car is a twin turbo-charged, three-litre, six-cylinder engine producing a claimed 543bhp – enough for a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds.

The exterior body has been finished in ‘Marina Bay Blue’ metallic, with a darker ‘Tanzanite Blue’ used to display a larger ’46’ logo on either side. Bright yellow accents on the wheels and more are also used as a nod to Rossi’s trademark racing colours.

Further nods to the rider can also be found inside, plus a large VR46 logo finished in yellow across the carbon fibre roof.

After retiring from his career in MotoGP in 2021, Rossi began competing with BMW in 2023. This special run of cars hasn’t been the only nod to the Italian’s birthday either, with long-time sponsors Dainese and AGV also creating a limited run of collectors helmets and racing leathers for the occasion.