No longer in need of introduction, the BMW 7 Series is a true veteran among large, high-end sedans. Produced without interruption since 1977 and currently in its sixth generation, the 7 Series is undeniably one of the pillars of its class, as it has undeniably been one of its benchmarks in terms of performance, comfort and style since its very beginning.
However, its absolute reign in the segment is being challenged by the much younger Panamera. Indeed, the latter has only been in production since 2009. However, since its release, it has proven that true value doesn’t need the test of time. And it's especially in its extended wheelbase version that the large Porsche competes the most aggressively with the Munich car. So which one to choose? Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealer of choice in Laval, tells you why the sharpest version of the Porsche is a better choice than the equivalent 7 Series in this "2021 BMW M760Li xDrive vs. 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive" comparison.
Exterior styling: classic and big for the BMW, timeless and sporty for the Porsche.
The first round of this match between the BMW 7 Series and the Porsche Panamera: their respective exterior designs. And on this first point, the two competitors could not be more opposed.
On the 2021 BMW M760Li xDrive side, the manufacturer went with modern classicism. Traditional BMW grille, signature headlights reminiscent of the round ones from the 7 Series “E23”, traditional sedan profile and L-shaped taillights linked by a subtle light bar: the 2021 7 Series will seem conservative to some, but also huge, especially with its rather massive body volumes and very large front grille.
At Porsche, on the other hand, the exact opposite was chosen. With its sloping hood, teardrop-shaped headlights with a four-point light signature, curved wheel arches, low, fastback roof and aggressive taillights, the large, high-performance Porsche premium sedan looks more like a coupe than a long-wheelbase vehicle! The result is a sporty profile which has been carved by the wind, with an elegance that seems destined to be forever timeless.
So, if you're looking for a large, athletic luxury sedan in the Greater Montreal area, the 2021 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive is the one to choose instead of the 2021 M760Li xDrive from BMW!
Both have a lot of power, but the Porsche has better performance.
Remember: a luxury and sporty limousine is not judged on its good looks, but rather on its technical performance. But don't worry: the respective versions of the 2021 BMW 7 Series and the 2021 Porsche Panamera compared here offer very high-level mechanical specifications. On the Munich side, the Bayerische Motoren Werke has opted for nothing less than a 6.0-litre turbocharged V12 engine! Coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it allows its host to go from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds according to the Car Guide, all for a top speed of 250 km/h according to BMW.
So, the 2021 M760Li xDrive offers high-calibre specifications, as much for its mechanical architecture as for its claimed performance. However, in this era of vehicle electrification, these characteristics will seem to some to be from another time, especially when compared to the Panamera. Indeed, the latter, in its 2021 Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive variant, houses a powertrain consisting of a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and an electric unit with a battery capacity of 17.9 kWh. Altogether, it develops a combined output of 690 hp and a combined maximum torque of 641 lb-ft. This extraordinary powertrain is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system that delivers better traction than the BMW's one.
With such figures, the performance is well above that of the Bavarian car, with a 0–100 km/h acceleration done in 3.3 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package, and a top speed of 315 km/h. Add to that a battery charging time of only 2.4 hours on a 240-volt outlet, and a 30 km all-electric range that's very practical for short commutes, and you end up with what a great 21st century ultra-sporty sedan should be: a vehicle with exceptional performance that doesn't forget to be environmentally friendly on the North Shore, and in the rest of the Greater Montreal area.
So if you're looking for a full-size premium sedan that is as sporty as it is eco-friendly, only the 2021 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive will satisfy you, not the 2021 BMW M760Li xDrive.
Interior: unparalleled luxury and state-of-the-art technologies for the Porsche!
So, both in terms of exterior styling and technical specifications, the 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive is impressively ahead of the 2021 BMW M760Li xDrive, which still offers top-level features. But to stop this BMW 7 Series vs. Porsche Panamera match on that note would be a shame.
Indeed, it would be omitting the best the Panamera has to offer: its interior! On this point, it can have everything the best of the segment has to offer in the Greater Montreal area, including BMW. You'll be welcomed by a cabin with truly elegant lines, in which only the finest materials were used. As for the fit and finish, it’s simply flawless. The same goes for the ergonomics of the controls: they are perfectly adapted to sporty driving, as you would expect from a Porsche. It's quite simple: you'll feel like you’ve become one with your machine!
As for the on-board equipment, you will also have the best. Leather, Alcantara, wood or carbon interior, intelligent cruise control, thermally and acoustically insulated windows, and even a Burmester premium sound system: depending on the model you choose, you'll experience the ultimate level of automotive luxury every time you take the wheel of your Panamera!
Conclusion: the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive is THE benchmark. Period!
At the end of this comparison 2021 M760Li xDrive vs 2021 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive, one thing is clear: the Porsche comes out victorious over the large BMW high-performance luxury sedan, which is still a safe bet. With its sleeker exterior, more powerful and more modern mechanics, and a simply extraordinary interior, the 2021 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive is the best in its segment!
Not convinced yet? Contact one of our specialists at Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealer of choice in the Greater Montreal area and in Laval, on the North Shore! We'll be happy to answer all your questions and help you discover Porsche offers and leasing/financing programs that will allow you to get behind the wheel of your own Panamera. See you soon at our dealership!