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Since the pandemic began, campgrounds have filled with RVs as increasing numbers of adventurers have hit the road. Van life has become an Instagram-worthy lifestyle, and many people are riding in luxury. Case in point: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sales have exploded, and even celebrities are getting in on the action. But comedian Katt Williams had a Sprinter van way before it became a mainstream trend.

Known as much for his run-ins with the law as his standup routines, the entertainer reportedly owned a fortified Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. In a recent interview, rapper JR Writer recalled when Katt Williams pulled up in an armored Sprinter van with gun holes.

Katt Williams owned a bulletproof Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van

Katt Williams had an armored Sprinter van with gun holes
Katt Williams | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO

In a December 2022 interview with Vlad TV, rapper JR Writer discussed making music. That included the time he worked with Katt Williams on the 2007 Diplomats track “Get That Money.” But the most memorable part of the experience was when the comedian pulled up in an armored Sprinter van with gun holes.

“They was making me go to the studio and lock in with Katt Williams,” Writer recalled. “His vibe was dope. He pulled up in a f***ing bulletproof Sprinter with the gun holes in ’em and a satellite on top … He move different … We took off to [Cam’ron’s] crib to record. [Williams] had me dying the whole session.”

Why would Katt Williams need an armored vehicle?

“Get That Money” appears on the 2007 Diplomats album Dipset: More Than Music, Vol. 2. The track includes several lyrics likely referring to Katt Williams’ Sprinter van: “Pull up to the curb/On the satellite dishes … The engine make the Benz flout … Me and Katt put a cap to your chest.”

So, why would the comedian need such a fortified vehicle?

In a recent interview on The Howard Stern Show, Williams explained how he was shot in the thigh in 2006 while standing outside a nightclub. Over the years, he has been involved in several altercations that put him in precarious positions. So the Friday After Next actor travels with a group of bodyguards, which could also explain his need for an armored vehicle.

But the customized Sprinter isn’t Williams’ only armored vehicle. In April 2022, Williams forked over $200,000 for an Apocalypse 6×6 Hellfire truck. His Joker-edition military-style vehicle sports a green and purple exterior paint job and a matching customized purple leather interior.

The hand-built monster truck sits on a Jeep Gladiator frame and is “meant to help you survive the end of times in complete luxury,” autoevolution reports. The customized ride boasts Kevlar coating, thick windshield armor, active suspension, cameras, and premium tech features to protect the Boondocks actor.

Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s cargo-carrying capacity, performance capabilities, and iconic nameplate. The standard cargo van starts at $43,500 for a new model, and the passenger van costs at least $48,700 before add-ons.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has enough power and flexibility to take on various terrains. Its all-wheel-drive system enhances maneuverability while keeping the break-over angle and ground clearance equivalent to the previous 4×4 system. And the torque-on-demand feature provides a 50% power split between the two axles, with an efficient front axle differential performance and seamless transitioning from rear-wheel drive.

In addition, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter packs a four-cylinder gas engine producing 188 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It replaces the previous six-cylinder diesel engine.