A collaboration between will.i.am and Mercedes-AMG? Yes, there’s a new car in town and it is called… the WILL.I.AMG. The one-off creation is built on the Mercedes-AMG GT Four-Door with the help taken from West Coast Customs of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” fame. 

While the ‘WILL.I.AMG,’ is based on the GT Four-Door Coupe, it doesn’t look anything like the donor car. First, it body style is that of an actual coupe with a rear-hinged two-door design.

The front of this bespoke model sports a squared-off look that makes you think of the G-Wagon; there’s even the round headlamps and rectangular grille mounted in a boxy frame. What’s new here is the bear emblem called ‘Bear Witness’ and it neatly fits into Mercedes’ three-pointed star. Other highlights of the WILL.I.AMG include a panoramic roof panel and sculpted air vents on the fenders.

There’s not much revealed about the interiors. Talking about the engine, the rapper did confirm that the special-edition coupe will sport the same motor as the Mercedes-AMG GT Four-Door, which is a 3982cc V8 twin-turbocharged petrol engine capable of making 638hp.

Those interested in the making and the story behind this one-off model will be thrilled to know that Mercedes-AMG is set to release a six-part documentary called Drive covering the build at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. 

While explaining the motivation behind making the build, will.i.am said, “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.”

The WILL.I.AMG will be at the centre of the musician’s philanthropic project called ‘The Flip – Innovation for Purpose,’ which is geared toward giving access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education to students who come from disadvantaged communities. 

Mercedes will showcase the one-off custom at this weekend’s inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami. The German brand also confirmed that all the proceedings and publicity will be directed to the I.am/Angel Foundation, will.i.am’s charity foundation. 

(Image credits: Mercedes-AMG)