- Combustion principle: four-stroke petrol (with manifold injection and emission control system with closed-loop 3-way catalyst)
- Configuration: front, transverse; horizontal
- Engine type: M 166 E 16 / 166.960
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 4 / in-line; 59° inclination to the front; light-alloy block
- Bore x Stroke: 80.0 x 79.5 mm
- Total displacement: 1598 cc
- Compression ratio: 11.0
- Rated output: 67 kW / 91 hp at 4200 rpm
- Rated torque: 150 Nm at 4000 rpm
- Number of valves / arrangement: 1 intake, 1 exhaust / V-shaped overhead
- Valve operation: 1 overhead camshaft
- Camshaft drive: single roller chain
- Fuel system: microprocessor-controlled injection system with hot-film air-mass sensor (HFM)
- Fuel tank: position / capacity: in front of the rear axle / 54 l
- Frame design: steel unit body
- Front-wheel suspension: A-arm / McPherson strut
- Rear-wheel suspension: trailing-arm axle
- Front springs: coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser
- Rear springs: coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser
- Shock absorber front/rear: twin-tube gas-pressure shock absorbers
- Steering: rack-and-pinion power steering
- Brake system (foot brake): hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with vacuum booster and antilock system, from 03.1997 with Brake Assist; disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear
- Parking brake (hand brake): mechanical (manually operated), acting on rear wheels
- Wheels: sheet-steel wheels (light-alloy wheels optional)
- Wheel rims: 5 1/2 J x 15 H 2
- Tires: 195/50 R 15
- Driven wheels: front wheels
- Drivetrain: final-drive assembly and differential in unit with transmission
- Gearing: 5-speed manual transmission
- Availibility: as standard
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: dry single-disc clutch (automatic clutch control optional)
- Transmission type: change-speed gear
- Gear ratios: I. 3.27; II. 1.92; III. 1.26; IV. 0.88; V. 0.70; R. 3.29
- Final drive ratio: 4.06
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 11.1 s
- Fuel consumption: 10.2 / 5.4 / 7.2 l
- by Guideline: 93/116/EC; figures apply to City (urban) / EUDC (extra-urban) / NEDC (New European Driving Cycle, average from <36.8%> City and <63.2%> EUDC)
- Gearing: 5-speed manual sports transmission
- Availibility: optional
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: dry single-disc clutch (automatic clutch control optional)
- Transmission type: change-speed gear
- Gear ratios: I. 3.27; II. 1.92; III. 1.34; IV. 1.03; V. 0.83; R. 3.29
- Final drive ratio: 3.72
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 11.1 s
- Fuel consumption: 10.2 / 5.4 / 7.2 l
- by Guideline: 93/116/EC; figures apply to City (urban) / EUDC (extra-urban) / NEDC (New European Driving Cycle, average from <36.8%> City and <63.2%> EUDC)
- Gearing: 5-speed automatic transmission
- Availibility: optional
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: hydraulic torque converter with lock-up clutch (governed)
- Transmission type: spur gear system
- Gear ratios: I. 3.63; II. 2.09; III. 1.31; IV. 0.90; V. 0.72; R. 3.67
- Final drive ratio: 3.76
- Maximum speed: 178 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 12.2 s
- Fuel consumption: 10.6 / 6.1 / 7.7 l
- by Guideline: 93/116/EC; figures apply to City (urban) / EUDC (extra-urban) / NEDC (New European Driving Cycle, average from <36.8%> City and <63.2%> EUDC)
- Wheelbase: 2593 mm
- Front / rear track: 1503 / 1452 mm
- Length: 3776 mm
- Width: 1719 mm
- Height: 1589 mm
- Kerb weight: 1145 kg
- by Guideline: EC 92/21 (including driver, 68 kg, and baggage, 7 kg; tank 90 % full)
- Gross weight: 1590 kg
- Units produced: 52,979
- Prices: 02.2001: EUR 18,792.00 (DM 36,753.96)
01.2002: EUR 19,024.00
02.2003: EUR 19,256.00
02.2004: EUR 19,488.00