BMW is celebrating the 46th birthday of Valentino Rossi, a nine-time motorcycle world champion and current BMW M works driver who rides with the No. 46.

The birthday is being celebrated with a pair of special, limited-edition M4 cars that will be limited to just 92 units worldwide, 46 of each version.

The BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 will be available in “Sport” and “Style” versions.

This exclusivity doesn’t come cheap as each of these cars is priced at $219,000 Canadian.

“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 racetrack later, it will be very cool,” said Rossi in a news release.

Purchasers of these few cars will also get a special two-day experience in Italy, which includes a personal meeting with Rossi at the VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, and a BMW M driving experience at the Missano race track, and more.

The cars are powered by a high-revving twin-turbo 3-litre six-cylinder in-line engine producing 543 hp, paired with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive and BMW’s Active M Differential.

The VR46 models are differentiated from other M4 CS cars with exclusive paint finishes and special exterior and interior details. There are a pair of paint colours, which BMW said blend perfectly with the cars’ many exposed carbon surfaces. The two colours are based on Rossi’s preferred tones and style.

The Sport cars wear the Marina Bay Blue metallic paint and both sides of the car wear oversized number “46” in a darker Tanzanite Blue metallic.

The Style cars have a matt Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic colour, with the number “46” coloured in Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic on both sides.

The kidney grille outline and one V spoke on each wheel are painted in bright yellow, while the Sport cars also get yellow brake calipers and an accent stripe over the door frames.

The carbon-fibre roof also gets a yellow VR46 logo and there’s VR46 lettering on the tailgate.

The theme continues on the inside.

The interior is predominantly Night Blue and the yellow VR46 logo can be found throughout, including on the headrests and door sill trims.

The Alcantara steering wheel gets yellow contrast stitching and a yellow centre marker.

The centre carbon-fibre console gets a badge identifying each Sport or Style car as part of a limited run, stating “1/46.”

Rossi has used the No. 46 as both a motorcycle racer and race car driver and his father, Graziano Rossi, also used the same number.

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