BMW marks Rossi's birthday with special edition M4 CS

BMW has revealed a special M4 CS, made to mark the birthday of nine-time motorcycle world champion and BMW M works driver Valentino Rossi.

The BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 takes inspiration from the number most associated with him. '46' was used by his father Graziano Rossi, and Valentino also opted for 46 at the start of his career, refusing to swap it for number '1' when he became world champion, as would have been his right.

The BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is available in two different design variants, both featuring the number '46' so well associated with Valentino Rossi along their sides

The car accordingly is available in two special BMW Individual paint finishes, both of which have been designed to integrate with the car's many exposed carbon surfaces. These also have been inspired by Valentino Rossi's preferred tones and expressive visual style. Opt for the 'Sport' finish and your car comes in Marina Bay Blue metallic, while both sides of the car are finished with an outsized '46' in a darker Tanzanite Blue metallic.

Pick the 'Style' design variant and your car will come in matt Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic, with the '46' on both sides now in Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic.

Both editions will also get an M kidney grille painted in bright yellow, a colour also utilised on one of the V spokes on the car's forged M light-alloy wheels - a touch which is applied on racing cars to indicate the location of the tyre valve. This colour is also adopted on the car's brake callipers, and on the accent strip over the door frames of the 'Sport' variant. Both design variants also get a carbon fibre roof that is adorned with a VR46 logo in yellow and Rossi's signature, while their tailgates come with the 'VR46' lettering.

The special edition car also gets bright yellow accents throughout, a touch that takes after Rossi's favoured colour scheme

In the cabin, the car makes use of predominantly Night Blue surfaces, which is contrasted by the use of Sao Paulo Yellow on the shoulder area of the M Carbon bucket seats. The car also gets an M Alcantara steering wheel with a three-spoke design and a flat-bottomed rim that gets a yellow contrast stitching and a yellow centre marker. All examples of the car come with a special badge on the centre console identifying their special edition status.

Only 46 examples of each design variant of the car are set to be built, all of which will also come with a the opportunity to enjoy a special two-day experience in Italy that includes a visit to the VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia and the chance to head to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for a special BMW M Driving Experience with the latest BMW M cars.