Mercedes-AMG, West Coast Customs and rapper will.i.am collaborated to make the will.i.AMG
Supercar makers are quite frequently coming up with ‘one-offs’ these days. In fact, just last week Ferrari announced the SP48 Unica. Well, Mercedes-AMG wants a slice of the action as well. They collaborated with Black Eyed Peas band member will.i.am as well as West Coast Customs (of Pimp My Ride fame) to bring the one-off will.i.AMG.
The will.i.AMG is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé with styling elements from the G-Class and the SLS Gullwing. There are just 2 doors on the will.i.AMG and they’re rear hinged and extremely large. They open up backward to give access for both occupants in the rear and front seats.
The three-pointed star of Mercedes has been modified to feature a bear face icon named “Bear Witness”, and this this logo-mascot will be used on apparel and accessories that will be sold at the Mercedes-AMG Experience Centre. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the i.am/Angel Foundation.
The conversion and construction of the will.i.AMG was documented and will be presented in a six part documentary series called “DRIVE”.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-AMG cooperation with innovator, tech entrepreneur and global star will.i.am reaches a new level: Boundary-pushing and purpose-led re-imagined vehicle collaboration revealed in Miami during Formula 1™ Grand Prix USA Weekend
Affalterbach/Miami. Mercedes-AMG’s collaboration with multi-platinum American musician, tech entrepreneur, philanthropist and TIME 100 IMPACT Award winner will.i.am has gone from strength to strength since its launch in September 2021 and is now culminating in an extraordinary project launching May 5, 2022 in Miami and at www.will.i.am. Under strict secrecy, “The Flip”, an automotive masterpiece with an expressive design and a far-reaching message has been created. The one-off vehicle, named WILL.I.AMG, is a visible symbol of the goals of Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am to boldly drive forward new ideas, push boundaries and dare to do the impossible. In their sixth project together, will.i.am teamed up again with West Coast Customs to execute his fearless vision for “The Flip.” It also sets an example for the future: the mission of this joint project “The Flip – Innovation for Purpose” is to give more students from disadvantaged communities access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education in order to be equipped with the skills required for future-focused jobs and to invent new technologies.
The world premiere of “The Flip” will be unveiled during the Formula 1™ Grand Prix USA in Miami/Florida in the company of prominent guests such as record world champion Lewis Hamilton. The expressly designed sports car is based upon the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé that has been extensively modified.
All the activities surrounding this one-of-a-kind vehicle based on the AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, influenced by design elements of the G-Class and the legendary SLS Gullwing will benefit will.i.am’s i.am/Angel Foundation to help build a STEAM-ready talent pool that will lift families and communities out of poverty. Mercedes-AMG is supporting this project enthusiastically because it also fulfils a lifelong dream of will.i.am: he is a car guy through and through and a Mercedes-AMG enthusiast who has always dreamed of making his personal Mercedes-AMG vehicle a reality.
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. The BEAR WITNESS collection Drop 1 – Limited Edition will be available May 6, 2022 at 12 noon Eastern time/ 6:00PM Central European time on https://will.i.am. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the i.am/Angel Foundation.
