Is it an AMG GT? Is it a G-Wagen? No, it’s a WILL.I.AMG.

    This one-off Mercedes-AMG project has been built in collaboration with musician will.i.am (or William Adams) of Black Eyed Peas fame.

    It combines the front end from a G-Class with the rear from an AMG GT 4-Door, but packs rear-hinged coach doors that call the Rolls-Royce Wraith to mind. In other words, it’s a two-door AMG GT 4-Door G-Wagen.

    Why has Mercedes-AMG allowed will.i.am to hack up a GT 4-Door? It’s designed to promote a project giving “students from disadvantaged communities” access to science, technology, engineering, arts and maths education “in order to be equipped with the skills required for future-focused jobs and to invent new technologies”.

    “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,” will.i.am said.

    “For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle,” he said. “Now I’ve reached my goal and pushed even higher by re-imagining and creating my own vision of an AMG model.”

    The engine in the GT 4-Door hasn’t been changed, but the bear icon on the nose replaces the traditional three-pointed star emblem. It’s been dubbed “Bear Witness”, and ties in with a clothing collection being launched at the Mercedes-AMG Experience Centre in Miami.

    This isn’t the first time will.i.am has dabbled in the automotive world. His previous automotive project led to the creation of some eye-catching one-offs, including a DeLorean lookalike built by West Coast Customs using Dodge Challenger parts.

    Scott Collie

    Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.

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