- 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 117 E 50 / 117.965
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 8 / 90° V; light-alloy block
- Bore x Stroke: 96.5 x 85.0 mm
- Total displacement: 4973 cc (tax classification: 4939 cc)
- Compression ratio: 9.0; from 09.1987: 10.0
- Rated output: 245 hp / 180 kW at 4750 rpm (with catalyst 223 hp / 164 kW at 4700 rpm); from 09.1987: 265 hp / 195 kW (with catalyst 252 hp / 185 kW) at 5200 rpm
- Rated torque: 400 Nm at 3750 rpm (with catalyst 365 Nm at 2500 rpm); from 09.1987: 405 Nm at 4000 rpm (with catalyst 390 Nm at 3750 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
- Rear-wheel suspension: twist-beam axle (semi-trailing arm axle with starting- and braking-torque compensation), hydropneumatic level control optional
- Front springs: coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, torsion bar stabiliser
- Rear springs: coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, 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: 2.24
- Maximum speed: 230 km/h (with catalyst 220 km/h); from 09.1987: 235 km/h (with catalyst 230 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.3 s (with catalyst 8.0 s); from 09.87: 7.2 s (with catalyst 7.5 s)
- Fuel consumption: 9.1 / 11.4 / 15.4 l (with catalyst 9.6 / 12.0 / 15.9 l); from 09.1987: 8.8 / 11.1 / 15.8 l (with catalyst 9.4 / 11.7 / 16.2 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: 2.24
- Maximum speed: 235 km/h (with catalyst 230 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.2 s (with catalyst 7.5 s)
- Fuel consumption: 8.8 / 11.1 / 15.8 l (with catalyst 9.4 / 11.7 / 16.2 l)
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Wheelbase: 2930 mm
- Front / rear track: 1555 / 1527 mm
- Length: 5020 mm
- Width: 1820 mm
- Height: 1437 mm
- Kerb weight: 1620 kg; from 09.1987: 1670 kg
- by Guideline: DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit)
- Gross weight: 2140 kg; from 09.1987: 2190 kg
- Units produced: a total of 33,418 (from 09.1979)
- Prices: 09.1985: DM 76,437.00 12.1985: DM 77,805.00 09.1986: DM 80,199.00 06.1987: DM 82,536.00 02.1988: DM 84,531.00 09.1988: DM 86,241.00 02.1989: DM 88,065.00 01.1990: DM 90,687.00 10.1990: DM 93,708.00