- Combustion principle: four-stroke petrol (with manifold injection)
- Configuration: front, longitudinal; vertical
- Engine type: M 116 E 38 / 116.961; from 10.1981: 116.963
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 8 / 90° V; light-alloy block
- Bore x Stroke: 92.0 x 71.8 mm; from 10.1981: 88.0 x 78.9 mm
- Total displacement: 3818 cc (tax 3776 cc); from 10.1981: 3839 cc (tax 3793 cc)
- Compression ratio: 9.0; from 10.1981: 9.4
- Rated output: 218 hp / 160 kW at 5500 rpm;~from 10.1981: 204 hp / 150 kW at 5250 rpm
- Rated torque: 305 Nm at 4000 rpm; from 10.1981: 315 Nm at 3250 rpm
- Number of valves / arrangement: 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead
- Valve operation: 1 overhead camshaft per cylinder bank
- Camshaft drive: double roller chain
- Fuel system: manifold injection, mechanically controlled (Bosch K-Jetronic)
- Fuel tank: position / capacity: above the rear axle / 90 l
- Frame design: steel unit body
- Front-wheel suspension: double-wishbone front axle with hydropneumatic level control system as an option
- Rear-wheel suspension: semi-trailing arm axle (hydropneumatic level control optional)
- Front springs: coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, fully supporting hydropneumatic suspension optional; torsion bar stabiliser
- Rear springs: coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, fully supporting hydropneumatic suspension optional; torsion bar stabiliser
- Shock absorber front/rear: gas-pressure shock absorbers
- Steering: recirculating-ball power steering
- Brake system (foot brake): hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with vacuum booster, antilock system optional (from 12.1984 as standard); disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear
- Parking brake (hand brake): mechanical (foot-operated), acting on rear wheels
- Wheels: sheet-steel wheels (light-alloy wheels optional)
- Wheel rims: 6 1/2 J x 14 H 2
- Tires: 205/70 VR 14
- Driven wheels: rear wheels
- Drivetrain: divided cardan shaft
- Gearing: 4-speed automatic transmission
- Availibility: as standard
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: hydraulic torque converter in automatic transmission
- Transmission type: planetary gear system
- Gear ratios: I. 3.68; II. 2.41; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 5.14
- Final drive ratio: 3.27; from 10.1981: 2.47
- Maximum speed: 215 km/h; from 10.1981: 210 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.3 s; from 10.81: 9.8 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.1 / 13.3 / 18.9 l; from 10.1981: 8.7 / 10.8 / 14.2 l
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Wheelbase: 3070 mm
- Front / rear track: 1545 / 1517 mm
- Length: 5135 mm
- Width: 1820 mm
- Height: 1440 mm
- Kerb weight: 1615 kg
- by Guideline: DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit)
- Gross weight: 2135 kg
- Units produced: 27,014
- Prices: 09.1979: DM 49,042.00
03.1980: DM 50,974.30
08.1980: DM 51,934.80
07.1981: DM 53,708.90
09.1981: DM 54.364,30
01.1982: DM 55,855.90
07.1982: DM 57,596.10
09.1982: DM 58,082.00
07.1983: DM 58,596.00
08.1983: DM 60,340.20
01.1984: DM 61,959.00
09.1984: DM 63,783.00
12.1984: DM 66,729.90
04.1985: DM 69,084.00