- Combustion principle: four-stroke Otto (with manifold-injection and supercharger with charge-air cooling; emission control device with 3-way catalyst)
- Configuration: front, longitudinal; vertical
- Engine type: M 271 E 18 ML LR / 271.946
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 4 / in-line; 15° inclination to the right
- Bore x Stroke: 82.0 x 85.0 mm
- Total displacement: 1796 cc
- Compression ratio: 10.2
- Rated output: 105 kW / 143 hp at 5200 rpm
- Rated torque: 220 Nm at 2500 - 4200 rpm
- Number of valves / arrangement: 2 intake, 2 exhaust / V-shaped overhead
- Valve operation: 2 overhead camshafts (intake camshaft adjustable)
- Camshaft drive: double roller chain
- Fuel system: microprocessor-controlled injection system with HFM (Siemens SIM 4 LE engine management) / supercharger with intercooling
- Fuel tank: position / capacity: in front of the rear axle / 62 l
- Frame design: steel unit body
- Front-wheel suspension: three-link suspension / McPherson strut
- Rear-wheel suspension: multilink suspension
- 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 (foot-operated), acting on rear wheels
- Wheels: sheet-steel wheels (light-alloy wheels optional)
- Wheel rims: 6 J x 15 H 2; with sports suspension: 7 J x 16 H 2
- Tires: 195/65 R 15 91 V; with sports suspension: 225/50 R 16
- Driven wheels: rear wheels
- Drivetrain: divided cardan shaft
- Gearing: 6-speed manual transmission
- Availibility: as standard
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: dry single-disc clutch
- Transmission type: change-speed gear
- Gear ratios: I. 4.46; II. 2.61; III. 1.72; IV. 1.25; V. 1.0; VI. 0.84; R. 4.06
- Final drive ratio: 3.07
- Maximum speed: 222 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.7 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.4 / 5.9 / 7.9 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: 6-speed manual transmission with sequential gear shift mechanism
- Availibility: optional
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: dry single-disc clutch (automatic clutch control)
- Transmission type: change-speed gear with automatic shifting mode
- Gear ratios: I. 4.46; II. 2.61; III. 1.72; IV. 1.25; V. 1.0; VI. 0.84; R. 4.06
- Final drive ratio: 3.07
- Maximum speed: 222 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.7 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.4 / 5.9 / 7.9 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: planetary gear system
- Gear ratios: I. 3.95; II. 2.42; III. 1.49; IV. 1.0; V. 0.83; R. 3.15
- Final drive ratio: 3.07
- Maximum speed: 220 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.9 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.8 / 5.9 / 7.9 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: 2715 mm
- Front / rear track: 1505 / 1476 mm (with sports suspension: 1494 / 1468 mm)
- Length: 4526 mm
- Width: 1728 mm
- Height: 1426 mm (with sports suspension: 1412 mm)
- Kerb weight: 1475 kg
- by Guideline: EC 92/21 (including driver, 68 kg, and baggage, 7 kg; tank 90 % full)
- Gross weight: 1955 kg
- Units produced: a total of 202,557 (until 03.2007)
- Production details: Volumes up to / from facelift in 03.2004 not documented separately
- Prices: 03.2002: EUR 26,738.00
02.2003: EUR 26,970.00