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The ’FLIP’: Will.I.Am And AMG’s Brainchild Is An AMG GT With A G-Wagon’s Face!
Created by the legendary pop icon along with West Coast Customs, the ’Flip’ will be unveiled at this weekend’s Miami F1 Grand Prix
by Khris Bharath, on LISTEN 03:47It was just a couple of days ago that pop icon Will.I.Am and Mercedes AMG teased us with a bizarre-looking coupe with a G-Wagon’s face. Well, the wait is finally over as the Will.I.AMG finally breaks cover, and boy, does it look striking!
Overview
Mercedes today is so much more than just an automotive brand. While they have always been an aspirational entity and an indicator of success, the German marque has also become a lifestyle brand today and the same is true for this custom one-off coupe. The main purpose of the Will.I.AMG is to inspire and prepare the next generation of inner-city kids and children from disadvantaged communities to pursue STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. As you can clearly see, this one-off coupe is pushing the boundaries of what is possible and that is exactly what, the Black Eyed Peas star wants the future generations to envision.
"I grew up in a ghetto. I grew up with hip hop. I watched legendary hip-hop artist 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" - Will.i.am
The Design
Okay, as for the design, I have to say that there’s a lot going on here, and it somehow seems to come together. Will.I.Am and West Coast Customs have gone to town with this one. It is a mish-mash of several models from the Mercedes parts bin and has design elements from both new and old models. From the front, this is unmistakably a G-Class, albeit sitting considerably lower. You’ll also notice that ’The Flip’ has a very unique three-pointed star, dubbed the ’Bear Witness’. Look closer and you’ll find the AMG logo in the front air dams, deep within the bumper.
"Now I’ve reached my goal and pushed even higher by re-imagining and creating my own vision of an AMG model. But I didn't touch the engine, because AMG really does make the best engines. The story of the founders of AMG truly inspires me and it is energizing to collaborate with like-minded people who also seek continuous improvement." Will.i.am
The gills on the hood will remind you of several cars like the SLR, and SLS. Moving on, the side profile follows the silhouette of the AMG GT 4-door Coupé, but there is one big change here. This is a two-door coupe with suicide doors. You can just about catch a glimpse of the two-tone interior and the beige quilted seats. The wheels and that glass roof have a whiff of Maybach, while the matte silver paint unmistakably makes this a Mercedes. It is really an ultimate expression of the German marque with several models coming together in this unique build.
"Our cooperation with will.i.am has reached a new peak with 'The Flip'. We have inspired and motivated each other in the realisation of this holistic concept, which is far more than an exceptional automotive one-off. We are continuing this legacy into the future together with will.i.am and 'The Flip'", according to Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Conclusion
Speaking to Hypebeast, Will.I.Am says that the car will be auctioned off and the proceeds from the sale will go towards investing in the future education of inner-city kids. They will benefit Will.I.Am’s Angel Foundation. The transformation of this car in a six-part documentary dubbed the ’Drive’, is set to be premiered at this year’s Cannes festival.
