Will.i.am’s one-off Mercedes-AMG is a stunner
In collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, multi-platinum American musician, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Will.i.am has gone to great lengths to craft a bespoke AMG model.
Swapping the face of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe with a G-Class fascia, the extensively modified coupe is named WILL.I.AMG or ‘The Flip’ and was unveiled during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami this past weekend.
No garden-variety add-ons here
The special model also garners its inspiration from the iconic SLS Gullwing and as weird as it looks, it has lost its original rear doors while also featuring an unusual logo on the wheel caps as well as on the front grille. Furthermore, it rides on a set of large retro-esque monoblock wheels.
“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. For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle,” explains will.i.am.
Inspired by the Mercedes star logo and the vehicle sound, Will.i.am created a bear-like face icon, which has been dubbed “Bear Witness.” This icon is also the focal point of the Bear Witness collection that features limited-edition apparel and accessories available at the Mercedes-AMG Experience Center in Miami and online.
“as weird as it looks, it has lost its original rear doors while also featuring an unusual logo on the wheel caps”
There are no changes to the 4.0-litre V8 engine lurking under the hood as Will.i.am believes Mercedes-AMG makes the best engines.
The elaborate conversion and construction of the WILL.I.AMG car has been captured in an extensive sixâ’part documentary series called ‘Drive’ that will sneak preview at the May 5th reveal event.
