Performer, philanthropist, and Black Eyed Peas band member will.i.am has revealed his latest collaboration car for a good cause, this time built with Mercedes-AMG.
Teased earlier this week and debuting yesterday, May 5, during the Formula 1 Grand Prix USA in Miami, Florida, the one-off Mercedes-AMG GT is a mashup of a few of the German brand’s styles, including the G-Wagen’s strong-jawed front end and shades of the SLS Gullwing, built on the GT 63 S.
The unique-looking car is called the Will.I.AMG, and the project is dubbed The Flip (and not because it’s basically a coin flip on whether or not any random person finds it to be hideous) or ‘The Flip—Innovation for Purpose’.
The Will.I.AMG features the square face of the G-Series wagens; a long hood reminiscent of the SLS Gullwing; rear-hinged suicide doors that take up the space of the ordinary GT’s front and back doors on both sides; and a bear emblem with the words “Bear Witness” on the grille and monobloc wheels, a nod to the special-edition apparel and accessories collection that accompanies the build and is available today at the Mercedes-AMG Experience Center and online. The vehicle’s interior and engine were left untouched.
The Will.I.AMG built via The Flip, a project collaborated on by will.i.am and AMG Photo by Mercedes-AMG
The Will.I.AMG built via The Flip, a project collaborated on by will.i.am and AMG Photo by Mercedes-AMG
The Will.I.AMG built via The Flip, a project collaborated on by will.i.am and AMG Photo by Mercedes-AMG
The Will.I.AMG built via The Flip, a project collaborated on by will.i.am and AMG Photo by Mercedes-AMG
The Will.I.AMG built via The Flip, a project collaborated on by will.i.am and AMG Photo by Mercedes-AMG
The Will.I.AMG built via The Flip, a project collaborated on by will.i.am and AMG Photo by Mercedes-AMG
There’s also a documentary series entitled “Drive” that highlights the build process, and will debut online and at the Cannes Film Festival 2022.
“I grew up in a ghetto. I grew up with hip hop. I watched legendary hip-hop artists rap about Mercedes, so it was always a dream to own a Mercedes,” says will.i.am. “For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle. Now I’ve reached my goal and pushed even higher by re-imagining and creating my own vision of an AMG model.”
The plan was to auction the vehicle and put the proceeds toward assisting students from disadvantaged communities looking to pursue an education in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) fields, but Mercedes has already purchased the vehicle, foregoing the need for an auction.
Funds raised through the sale of the special Bear Witness limited-edition apparel and accessories line will also go to the STEAM education initiative.
Keyword: Will.i.am’s one-off AMG GT is a funky car for a beautiful cause