Mercedes-AMG® and will.i.am Team Up To Create “The Flip”
The Flip
Mercedes-Benz has a new collaboration under its belt, with tech entrepreneur and rapper will.i.am. This duo is truly dynamic, as the luxury German automaker is known for its innovative and progressive ideas for its cars, as is will.i.am. for his music and business ventures.
This partnership resulted in the world premiere of “The Flip” vehicle, a sports car that is derived from the car brand’s AMG® GT 4-door Coupe. Onlookers will be able to see the unveiling of this comprehensively modified car during the Formula 1 Grand Prix USA in Miami/Florida, more specifically in the company of notables like record world champion Lewis Hamilton.
“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,” explains will.i.am. “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.”
“Our cooperation with will.i.am has reached a new peak with ‘The Flip’. We have inspired and motivated each other in the realization of this holistic concept, which is far more than an exceptional automotive one-off. We take our responsibility to society seriously. The success of Mercedes-AMG® as a Performance Luxury brand also depends to a large extent on inspiring the next generation and giving them easy access to the latest technologies and digital progress. It is part of our tradition to always be pioneers and to dare to do something new. 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.
All of the festivities surrounding this ultra-unique vehicle, which was based on the AMG® Coupe, along with design characteristics from the G-Class truck and the classic SLS Gullwing, will ultimately benefit will.i.am’s i.am Angel Foundation. This is meant to help construct a STEAM-ready talent pool that will bring families and communities poverty. Mercedes-AMG® is backing this project engagedly because it also carries out will.i.am’s lifelong dream both as a car enthusiast and a Mercedes-AMG® enthusiast, who has always dreamed of putting his own imprint on a Mercedes-AMG® vehicle.
will.i.am was inspired by Mercedes-Benz’s star logo and vehicle sound, leading him to create a bear-shaped icon, which was given the moniker “BEAR WITNESS.” This icon also served as the main point of the BEAR WITNESS collection that encompasses limited-edition clothing and accessories, which are available at the Mercedes-AMG® Experience Center in Miami and online.
The BEAR WITNESS collection (Drop 1) was made available last week Friday, (May, 6) at noon Eastern time and 6 pm Central European time on will.i.am’s website. The portion of the proceeds goes to support the i.am/Angel Foundation.
This extensive conversion and building of this one-of-a-kind vehicle was filmed in a six-part documentary series, “Drive”.
Mercedes-Benz of Washington
If you’re interested in even more creative and progressive car features and designs that Mercedes-Benz has to offer, check out our online new car inventory at Mercedes-Benz of Washington. We sell a wide variety of vehicles from the brand in various shapes and sizes.
Once you find something to your liking, feel free to chat with one of our representatives for further assistance.