- Combustion principle: four-stroke petrol (with manifold injection; emission control system with closed-loop 3-way catalyst as an option, from 09.1986 as standard)
- Configuration: front, longitudinal; vertical
- Engine type: M 116 E 42 / 116.965
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 8 / 90° V; light-alloy block
- Bore x Stroke: 92.0 x 78.9 mm
- Total displacement: 4196 cc (tax classification: 4146 cc)
- Compression ratio: 9.0; from 09.1987: 10.0
- Rated output: 218 hp / 160 kW (with catalyst 204 hp / 150 kW) at 5200 rpm; from 09.1987: 231 hp / 170 kW (with catalyst 224 hp / 165 kW) at 5400 rpm
- Rated torque: 330 Nm at 3750 rpm (with catalyst 310 Nm at 3600 rpm); from 09.1987: 335 Nm (with catalyst 325 Nm) at 4000 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-electronically controlled (Bosch KE-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 and antilock system; 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: 7 J x 15 H 2
- Tires: 205/65 VR 15
- Driven wheels: rear wheels
- Drivetrain: divided cardan shaft
- Gearing: 4-speed automatic transmission
- Availibility: as standard (until 09.1988)
- 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: 2.47
- Maximum speed: 218 km/h (with catalyst 210 km/h); from 09.1987: 222 km/h (with catalyst 220 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.3 s (with catalyst 8.7 s); from 09.87: 8.2 s (with catalyst 8.3 s)
- Fuel consumption: 8.9 / 11.0 / 14.9 l (with catalyst 9.3 / 11.6 / 15.2 l); from 09.1987: 8.7 / 10.7 / 15.1 l (with catalyst 9.1 / 11.3 / 15.4 l)
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Gearing: 4-speed automatic transmission
- Availibility: as standard (from 09.1988)
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: hydraulic torque converter in automatic transmission
- Transmission type: planetary gear system
- Gear ratios: I. 3.87; II. 2.25; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 5.59
- Final drive ratio: 2.47
- Maximum speed: 222 km/h (with catalyst 220 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.2 s (with catalyst 8.3 s)
- Fuel consumption: 8.7 / 10.7 / 15.1 l (with catalyst 9.1 / 11.3 / 15.4 l)
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Wheelbase: 3070 mm
- Front / rear track: 1555 / 1527 mm
- Length: 5160 mm
- Width: 1820 mm
- Height: 1441 mm
- Kerb weight: 1630 kg; from 09.1987: 1660 kg
- by Guideline: DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit)
- Gross weight: 2150 kg; from 09.1987: 2180 kg
- Units produced: 74,017
- Prices: 09.1985: DM 74,328.00
12.1985: DM 75,696.00
09.1986: DM 78,204.00
06.1987: DM 80,427.00
02.1988: DM 82,365.30
09.1988: DM 83,904.00
02.1989: DM 85,671.00
01.1990: DM 88,179.00
10.1990: DM 91,086.00