You Could Buy A Real Mercedes Or A Chinese SUV Pretending To Be One
Tank 300 gets a wild Brabus-style makeover from Thai tuner Shana, with fake quad pipes, a flashy interior, and a price that shocks
https://www.carscoops.com/author/thanos-pappas/
by Thanos Pappas
Thai tuner Shana E-Sport gave the Tank 300 a Mercedes makeover.
The SUV wears a G-Class bodykit with heavy Brabus influence.
Despite its aggressive look, no power upgrades were added.
The Mercedes-AMG G63 has long stood as a symbol of brash, unapologetic style in the off-road world, and with help from tuners like Brabus or Mansory, it only gets louder, visually, at least. But for buyers chasing that same presence without handing over supercar-level money, options are slim.
A tastefully modified Suzuki Jimny might scratch the itch for some, though it often falls short for those wanting something closer in size and posture to the real thing. Now there’s a fresh alternative.
More: This Ford Ranger Raptor In Thailand Desperately Wants To Be A Bronco
A custom garage in Thailand called Shana E-Sport has figured out a way to channel Brabus vibes into something far more attainable. The secret? A well-disguised Chinese SUV called the Tank 300, built by Great Wall Motors, already equipped with the kind of blocky proportions and upright stance that make the transformation surprisingly convincing.
G-Class Drama Without the Price
Shana E-Sport / Facebook
The exterior overhaul starts with a full facelift. The stock Tank 300 nose is replaced by a redesigned front end featuring a new grille, circular LED headlights, a vented hood, and a sporty bumper complete with AMG-style intakes and splitter.
Boxy fenders with vintage-style indicators help exaggerate the classic silhouette, while Brabus-inspired fender flares and faux vents push the look further.
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At the rear, the tuner added a sportier rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, a roof spoiler, and a custom spare wheel cover. Depending on customer preferences, it can be fitted with quad tailpipes, or side-mounted exhausts mimicking the original G63.
The whole thing rides on 22-inch aftermarket alloy wheels wrapped in thick, all-terrain rubber. Buyers can also opt for suspension tweaks and larger brake kits.
Copycat Cabin With Surprises
Inside, the Tank 300 already leans heavily on Mercedes design cues. The layout includes a familiar twin-screen digital cockpit, turbine-style climate vents, and an overall shape that feels just one badge swap away from Stuttgart. Still, Shana E-Sport isn’t shy about pushing it further.
One of their showcase builds features a turquoise leather interior with forged carbon accents, power-deploying and illuminated side steps, soft-close doors, and a hands-free tailgate.
Power is Where the Illusion Ends
The mechanical side tells a different story. Under the hood, the Tank 300 retains its stock hybrid setup with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor. It’s a decent combo, making around 350 hp in total and delivering it to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic. It’s nowhere near the Brabus G63’s twin-turbo V8, of course, but that’s not the point here.
The Price of Playing Pretend
What matters more to most buyers is the cost. Shana E-Sport says a complete G63-style Tank 300 conversion comes in at around 2,500,000 Baht, or roughly $79,800, with the donor vehicle included.
That base vehicle alone costs about 1,800,000 Baht ($57,500). Other estimates suggest the conversion work by itself can run closer to 1,080,000 Baht ($34,500), depending on the level of customization.
More: Someone Paid $3K For This Fake Bentley EV That Charges With Gas
It’s still a serious chunk of change for a replica, but it’s nowhere near the six-figure-plus range of the real thing, which can run anywhere from $300,000 to over $700,000 depending on spec and market taxes.
Judging by the videos and updates on Shana E-Sport’s social media, it looks like the concept is already gaining traction with a growing number of buyers in Thailand.
