Buy this limited-run BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 and you get to have a barbecue with Valentino Rossi

Typically, 46th birthdays aren’t really considered major milestones. With the big five-zero on the horizon you’ll probably keep it quite low key. Unless of course, the number 46 means a lot to you.

Enter, Valentino Rossi. After witnessing his father race bikes using number 46, The Doctor adopted it at the start of his career and never looked back. Having won nine world championships and 115 Grands Prix on two wheels, Rossi has now swapped to four, but the Italian still uses number 46 on his BMW M4 GT3. Heck, his hometown of Tavullia in Italy has even reduced its speed limit from the usual 50kph to 46kph in his honour.

Perhaps it’s no surprise BMW has decided to honour Rossi’s 46th birthday with a special edition. This is the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46, and (you guessed it) only 46 examples will be built.

Available in either ‘Sport’ or ‘Style’ variants, the former is finished in Marina Bay Blue metallic paint with a giant 46 graphic on the sides in a darker shade of Tanzanite Blue metallic. The latter flips that around with a gloomier matte Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic body and a Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic graphic. We’re not quite sure what the difference is between frozen and defrosted paint, but let’s not dwell on that.

The two cars also get bright yellow accents in classic Rossi style. The colour outlines the large kidney grille, the top of the door and one of the V spokes on the forged M-spec wheels. The brake callipers and a graphic on top of the carbon roof are also finished in the shockingly bright shade.

Rossi was involved in the design process for the VR46, and the blue and yellow theme continues inside with special leather-trimmed M carbon bucket seats. The steering wheel is trimmed in Alcantara with a yellow centre marker, and the carbon centre console gets some trim to tell you which number car you’ve bought in the limited run.

You didn’t think Rossi would just let BMW stick some leather and special paint onto a standard M4 CS and sell it as a limited edition though, did you? Well, the twin turbo 3.0-litre straight-six still produces 542bhp and sends that power to all four wheels through an eight-speed auto ‘box, but the Edition VR46 gets special chassis tuning with bespoke wheel camber settings, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars.

The adaptive dampers have also been tweaked, as has the variable ratio steering and the braking system. The M Driver’s Package is standard too, so top speed is limited to 188mph.

Oh, and the best bit? BMW hasn’t said how much the Edition VR46 will actually cost, but we do know that all buyers will get a special two-day experience in Rossi’s aforementioned hometown. In fact, on the first day you’ll get to go to Valentino’s house for a barbecue and a chance to “talk shop”. The second day will take place at the Misano World Circuit, where you’ll get the full BMW M driving experience in various models.

“There is no other brand that has motorsport so deeply rooted in its DNA as BMW M,” said Rossi.

“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.

“And remember to take your shoes off when you head into my house for a wee.”

Okay, we made that last bit up, but dinner round Rossi’s sounds pretty cool, no?