Boom boom pow to vroom vroom wow? A throwback to will.i.am's custom Mercedes
- Will.i.am’s one-off Mercedes-AMG GT was built by West Coast Customs
- The star revealed it at the Miami F1 Grand Prix with global attention
- It helps to promote STEAM education through the i.am/Angel Foundation
Published on May 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on May 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Will.i.am’s custom Mercedes is a boundary-pushing collaboration based on the Mercedes-AMG GT, created with West Coast Customs to support STEAM education.
The car was unveiled at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, marking a major milestone in the ongoing partnership between will.i.am and Mercedes-AMG.
More than just a redesigned vehicle, will.i.am’s custom Mercedes also serves as a platform to inspire young people and raise awareness for education-focused initiatives.
The design and purpose behind the car combine to form a truly unique automotive statement.
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The collaboration began in 2021 and has since produced several creative ventures, culminating in the reveal of will.i.am’s custom Mercedes.
Built from a Mercedes-AMG GT, the car was reimagined with distinctive design elements while preserving its original powertrain.
West Coast Customs handled the transformation, blending influences from the G-Class and SLS Gullwing into the car’s bodywork.
The front design features a bold new grille inspired by the Mercedes star and the vehicle’s sound profile.
Will.i.am’s custom Mercedes was created as part of a larger philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting STEAM education. That includes science, engineering, tech, the arts, and math.

Sales from the BEAR WITNESS clothing and accessories line will go toward the i.am/Angel Foundation, which funds programs for students in underserved communities.
The project was designed to combine luxury design with long-term social impact, giving the car a deeper meaning beyond its appearance.
Will.i.am has positioned the vehicle as a symbol of progress and opportunity for the next generation.
The official debut of Will.i.am’s custom Mercedes took place during the Miami Grand Prix. Fans, press, and high-profile guests, including Lewis Hamilton, were in attendance.
The reveal also featured a sneak preview of DRIVE. This six-part documentary series details the build process and the ideas behind it.

The Mercedes-AMG GT platform was chosen specifically for its performance reputation, allowing the project to focus entirely on design and messaging.
With this launch, the partnership between will.i.am and Mercedes-AMG reached a new level of global visibility.
The star described the project as personal, sharing how Mercedes vehicles were once symbols of aspiration in his community.
He emphasized that the engine was left untouched out of respect for Mercedes-AMG’s engineering standards.
Instead, his focus was on transforming the vehicle’s look, and using that transformation to support STEAM education.

Will.i.am’s custom Mercedes is intended to show what can be accomplished when creativity meets purpose.
According to Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG, the project reflects the brand’s responsibility to lead by example in both design and social engagement.
He stated that will.i.am’s custom Mercedes demonstrates how innovation and social impact can go hand in hand.
The choice to keep the Mercedes-AMG GT’s core performance elements while redesigning the exterior highlights the balance of tradition and reinvention.

The car stands as a physical representation of their shared mission.
Will.i.am’s custom Mercedes is not just a one-off car, however. It is a blueprint for future projects that aim to merge art, engineering, and community development.
Built by West Coast Customs, shaped by the Mercedes-AMG GT, and powered by a commitment to STEAM education, the car represents the future of meaningful automotive collaborations.
Through this project, will.i.am and Mercedes-AMG have proven that a car can be more than a machine. It can also be a message.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.