Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am unveil wild one-off G-Class-like coupe

Mercedes-AMG has revealed the mysterious car it designed with rapper will.i.am. The one-off model is a coupe called will.i.AMG - yes, that’s a name for a real car - that borrows styling elements from the GT Four-Door Coupe.

"I grew up in a ghetto. I grew up with hip-hop. I watched legendary hip-hop artists rap about Mercedes-Benz, so it was always a dream to own one. For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle," explained will.i.am. "Now, I've reached my goal and pushed even higher by reimagining and creating my own vision of an AMG model."

Almost nothing about the will.i.AMG suggests that it is even remotely related to the GT Four-Door Coupe. In the front, it has round headlights with a rectangular grille mounted in a boxy frame that's almost like an old-fashioned G-Class. It features an emblem influenced by will.i.am's "Bear Witness" song. Other features of this one-off include air vents chiselled into both fenders, extra-long suicide doors, and a panoramic roof panel. No photos of the back end have been released, but judging from the lights and the shape of the bumper, the will.i.AMG looks more like the GT outback.

The inside of the car hasn't been photographed yet, but the build process didn't bring major changes to the mechanics. "I didn't touch the engine because AMG really does make the best engines," the rapper said.

During the i.am.angel Foundation's kickoff event, AMG noted all activities surrounding the will.i.AMG will benefit the i.am.angel Foundation. The i.am.angel Foundation supports STEM education opportunities and provides scholarships. It is also a part of an effort called The Flip, which aims to provide STEAM education to more students from disadvantaged communities. Although fewer and fewer specifics exist, a limited-edition line of apparel and accessories will feature the Bear Witness logo, available at the Mercedes-Benz Experience Center in Miami, Florida, and online. Merchandise sales will benefit the i.am.angel Foundation.

According to Mercedes-AMG, the will.i.AMG will be purchased from will.i.am "to support the common project," and part of the proceeds will be donated to the i.am.angel Foundation.

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