- 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 56 / 117.968
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 8 / 90° V; light-alloy block
- Bore x Stroke: 96.5 x 94.8 mm
- Total displacement: 5547 cc (tax classification: 5491 cc)
- Compression ratio: 9.0; from 09.1987: 10.0
- Rated output: 272 hp / 200 kW at 5000 rpm (with catalyst 242 hp / 178 kW at 4800 rpm); from 09.1987: 300 hp / 220 kW at 5000 rpm (with catalyst 279 hp / 205 kW at 5200 rpm)
- Rated torque: 430 Nm at 3750 rpm (with catalyst 390 Nm at 3500 rpm); from~09.1987: 455 Nm (with catalyst 430 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) with hydropneumatic level control
- Front springs: coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, torsion bar stabiliser
- Rear springs: coil springs, hydropneumatic spring struts, 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: light-alloy wheels
- Wheel rims: 7 J x 15 H 2
- Tires: 215/65 VR 15, from 1988: 215/65 ZR 15
- 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. 3.87; II. 2.25; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 5.59
- Final drive ratio: 2.65
- Maximum speed: 238 km/h (with catalyst 228 km/h);~from 09.1987: 250 km/h (with catalyst 240 km/h)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 6.9 s (with catalyst 7.6 s); from 09.87: 6.8 s (with catalyst 7.2 s)
- Fuel consumption: 10.6 / 12.9 / 17.1 l (with catalyst 11.4 / 13.9 / 18.0 l);~from 09.1987: 10.6 / 12.9 / 17.1 l (with catalyst 11.4 / 13.9 / 18.0 l)
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Wheelbase: 2845 mm
- Front / rear track: 1555 / 1527 mm
- Length: 4935 mm
- Width: 1828 mm
- Height: 1402 mm
- Kerb weight: 1750 kg; from 09.1987: 1540 kg
- by Guideline: DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit)
- Gross weight: 2210 kg; from 09.1987: 2220 kg
- Units produced: 28,929
- Prices: 09.1985: DM 133,608.00
09.1986: DM 136,002.00
06.1987: DM 139,935.00
02.1988: DM 143,298.00
09.1988: DM 143,469.00
02.1989: DM 146,490.00
01.1990: DM 150,765.00
10.1990: DM 155,724.00
03.1991: DM 160,398.00