In the battle of uber-sedans we’ve been bombarded with videos of the new BMW M5 but before the F90 model came out, a different sedan from BMW’s line-up claimed the title of the fastest car in of the bunch. I’m talking about the BMW M760Li xDrive, of course, the beast powered by a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12. Well, even though the M5 stole that crown, the M760Li is still one heck of a fast saloon and the video below proves it.
That’s because the 7er is challenged to a sprint by a completely different kind of animal, a Porsche Panamera Sport. Some would say the two are rivals but I would beg to differ. The Panamera is more of a 4-door coupe model, one that would take on the 8 Series Gran Coupe rather than the 7 Series. The numbers show it too, the 7er being wider and noticeably longer than the Porsche here, especially in long wheelbase version, which is the only way you can get an M760i in the first place.
The size difference also means the 7er offers considerably more comfort and room inside and is heavier. The spec sheet says the M760Li xDrive will tip the scales at 2,255 kilos (4,971 lbs) at the very least whereas the Panamera is about 200 kilos lighter. Then again, the BMW is also the more powerful car here, with its 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 delivering 610 PS and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque whereas the Panamera Turbo makes due with 550 PS and 770 Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque, courtesy of a 4-liter V8.
What does all that mean? Well, the video below shows a couple of runs between the two. The 60 HP difference is easily overcome by the Panamera thanks to its lighter chassis but the two are just too close in terms of performance to declare a clear winner. What is rather obvious though is that the M760Li xDrive has the edge at higher velocities, where the V12 architecture might show why it’s so adored in the car world.
