Rossi Takes the 2011 BMW M3 GTS for a Spin

The 9-time MotoGP champion continues to be rewarded for his achievements. Recently, German carmaker BMW presented Valentino Rossi with a brand new BMW M3 sedan and let him take a few hot laps in the new 2011 BMW M3 GTS.“With his fleet of cars acquired through the BMW M Award, Valentino Rossi is a certified expert on BMW M,” BMW said in a statement.

The Doctor seemed to be quite impressed with BMW's latest contraption, and expressed his wish of increasing his fleet by owning an M3 GTS as soon as production begins.

“So it hardly came as a surprise when the nine-times MotoGP world champion expressed an urgent wish after covering the first few kilometers of the home journey at the wheel of the BMW M3 GTS: he wants to add to his private fleet an individually manufactured BMW M3 GTS made at the
BMW production workshop,” the statement continued.

Furthermore, Rossi will get behind the wheel of a Ferrari 430 on the 6 Hour race of Vallelunga, Italy. The car which he's about to drive next week on the circuit north of Rome will be prepared by GT3-Kessel Racing, a team run by former F1 driver Loris Kessel.

The 2011 BMW M3 GTS is 190 kg lighter than the M3 model. Power is transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox with new shift characteristics and a power unit based on the M engine: 4.4 liters V8 engine delivering 450 bhp. First deliveries start in May 2010 and it will set you back about 115,000 euros ($170,000).