- Combustion principle: four-stroke petrol (with manifold injection)
- Configuration: front, longitudinal; vertical
- Engine type: M 117 E 50 / 117.961; from 10.1981: 117.963
- 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: 8.8; from 10.1981: 9.2
- Rated output: 240 hp / 177 kW at 4750 rpm;~from 10.1981: 231 hp / 170 kW at 4750 rpm
- Rated torque: 404 Nm at 3200 rpm; from 10.1981: 405 Nm at 3000 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: twist-beam axle (semi-trailing arm axle with starting- and braking-torque compensation), 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: 2.82; from 10.1981: 2.24
- Maximum speed: 225 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.1 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.3 / 13.5 / 21.2 l; from 10.1981: 9.1 / 11.4 / 15.2 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: 1655 kg
- by Guideline: DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit)
- Gross weight: 2175 kg
- Units produced: a total of 72,693 (until 02.1992)
- Prices: 09.1979: DM 56,161.00
03.1980: DM 58,364.50
08.1980: DM 59,460.60
07.1981: DM 61,505.90
09.1981: DM 62,161.30
01.1982: DM 63,845.00
07.1982: DM 66,218.00
07.1983: DM 66,804.00
08.1983: DM 68,742.00
01.1984: DM 70,566.00
04.1985: DM 78,831.00