The special model BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 was developed in close collaboration with nine-time motorcycle world champion and BMW M works driver Valentino Rossi. And when ‘The Doctor’ or ‘Il Dottore’ joins forces with the designers and product experts at BMW M, you know you’re in for something unique. The result are two design variants, ‘Sport’ and ‘Style’, each of which is limited to 46 units. As both versions are outfitted with so many customized features, their production required a demanding combination of large-scale series and manual processes.
4 MONTHS, 46 UNITS TIMES 2.
4 MONTHS, 46 UNITS TIMES 2.
46 is Valentino Rossi’s signature number which he never exchanged for the number 1, even as world champion. As his 46th birthday approached, BMW M GmbH took this as an opportunity to honour the successful factory driver with a special BMW M model, limited to 46 copies per version. However, the two variants BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 ‘Sport’ and BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 ‘Style’ were distinguished by many individual features. Hence, every unit of the sports car had to be assembled in a carefully orchestrated combination of large-scale production and manual processes. Over a period of four months, two batches of 46 units were produced in Dingolfing.
CHALLENGE: LIMITED VOLUME PRODUCTION.
CHALLENGE: LIMITED VOLUME PRODUCTION.
The BMW Group plant in Dingolfing has proven expertise in the production of exclusive small series. It is where the Jeff Koons Edition models of the BMW 8 Series and the 50 units of the BMW 3.0 CSL were built. The plants in Landshut and Steyr also contributed specially manufactured small-series components such as the front bonnet and engine parts. The Valentino Rossi tribute BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 required this limited-volume production expertise, particularly due to its special BMW Individual paintwork. The challenge with the ‘Sport’ variant, for example, was to apply the Marina Bay Blue metallic paintwork with large ‘46’ graphics in Tanzanite Blue metallic and bright yellow accents on the BMW M kidney grille, the brake callipers and the forged M light-alloy wheels. The units in the ‘Style’ variant, on the other hand, required a matt Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic paint finish with the ‘46’ in Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic. Both variants feature the VR46 logo and Rossi’s signature on the hand-painted carbon roof.
INDIVIDUAL COLOUR CONCEPT.
INDIVIDUAL COLOUR CONCEPT.
A small team of four hand-picked painters per vehicle was tasked with applying the exclusive BMW Individual special paint finishes. To this end, each individual BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 was pulled from the series production line after receiving its base coat and then finished by hand. The paintwork experts in Dingolfing applied specially made masking films to apply the contrasting colours. In this way, they added the ‘46’ and other design elements such as the bright yellow lines in the rear and A-pillar areas. After removing the masking films and carrying out extensive sanding work to achieve a flawless finish, the vehicles returned to the series production process, where the carbon roof was added.
VR46 INSIDE OUT.
VR46 INSIDE OUT.
After the paint work was completed, the BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 took on its final exclusive form. Back in the Dingolfing assembly line, the added parts, such as the bumpers, painted in a special colour, and the interior fittings, continue the exclusive design concept. The interior is dominated by midnight blue, complemented by yellow accents. The M carbon bucket seats have a shoulder area in Sao Paulo yellow. Yellow contrast stitching and a yellow centre marking on the steering wheel round off the design. The headrests and door sill trims feature clearly visible VR46 logos, and the carbon centre console bears a ‘1/46’ badge. After extensive quality checks, the vehicles in this exclusive edition are ready to be delivered to customers worldwide.
LEGACY ON FOUR WHEELS.
Before their final delivery, the ‘Style’ and ‘Sport’ models made a brief stopover at Lake Como, Italy, as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2025. The fact that the two BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 models are being exhibited at one of the world’s most renowned competitions for classic cars once again demonstrates how BMW M consistently combines the automotive past, present and future.
