Cannonball record (US coast to coast) broken in tuned Mercedes-AMG W212 E63 sedan - 27 hours, 25 minutes

[Sticky]

The Cannonball run is something of legend in American automotive circles and the famous coast to coast United States run spawned two movies in the 80's. These days, the endeavor is something people take on by themselves and it is more difficult than ever due to law enforcement.

It is essentially a one-car rally with the clock as the opponent. Times have dropped over the years with technology and horsepower as the main weapons for those attempting the feat.

It's difficult to imagine that anyone will best 27:25 anytime soon, but who knows. The reasons people give for the impossibility of such a feat sound suspiciously like Brock Yates' contention, decades ago, that American roads were too crowded and police-infested for anyone ever to beat the record set during the last Yates-era Cannonball race in 1979. It only took a few years for someone to prove him wrong. Now we find ourselves looking at the victorious claimants of a dizzying new record—an Everest of sorts. Was it a good idea? No. It never has been and it never will be. But like Everest, it presents itself as a risky challenge that is, to some, irresistible.

A tuned E63 sedan is certainly a good choice for cross-country trip. It is fast, comfortable, and can hold a ton of gear.

The three gentlemen responsible for the new record (Toman, Tabbutt, and Chadwick) didn't just break the old record of 28 hours and 30 minutes set in 2013, they crushed it.

Set some time aside and watch the video below that explains not only the event but what went into the new record.

BoostAddict wishes to convey its respect of not only the new record but the fortitude necessary to attempt it. The Cannonball run represents a sort of freedom and rebellious attitude that once defined American culture. As long as people continue to attempt it, that part of America will live on.

[Batman]

M157 for the win! 'Still holding out and hoping.

[5soko]

Such a tank of a car, a hiccup because of low 91 octane but never broke down!

Resale values just went up!

[Batman]

Permanent AWD with fixed torque split. I believe it's 33% to the front, and 67% to the rear. In my opinion, this is proof that you don't need a complicated AWD system with 2-wheel drive mode.

[subaru335i]

THe best part is how generic they made it look just by wrapping the tail lights a bit and all the carbon fiber trim.

"Be on the lookout for a sliver passenger car" lol

[leveraged sellout]

Permanent AWD with fixed torque split. I believe it's 33% to the front, and 67% to the rear. In my opinion, this is proof that you don't need a complicated AWD system with 2-wheel drive mode.

What is proof? What proves that? I don't think a switchable AWD system is going to be a dealbreaker either way in a cross-country highway TSD rally.

[Batman]

It’s not about a switchable AWD system being a deal breaker. It’s about maximizing repeatable performance through traction in all conditions. Remember when the E63 ditched the RWD only drivetrain and incorporated AWD, while the M5 still had a RWD only drivetrain? Why do you think the M5 incorporated AWD a couple of years later? I thought you’d never ask, and I’ll tell you the answer. It’s because the M5 couldn’t keep up with the E63 due to traction limitations. Both cars were still basically making the same amount of power but the M5 was getting beat! You want to run a time attack Cannon ball across the country? You can’t run slicks and you’re driving on the street / highway in all weather conditions, not a prepped glued drag strip.