- Combustion principle: four-stroke petrol (with manifold injection and emission control system with closed-loop 3-way catalyst)
- Configuration: front, longitudinal; vertical
- Engine type: M 111 E 18 / 111.921
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 4 / in-line; 15° inclination to the right
- Bore x Stroke: 85.3 x 78.7 mm
- Total displacement: 1799 cc
- Compression ratio: 9.8
- Rated output: 90 kW / 122 hp at 5500 rpm
- Rated torque: 170 Nm at 3700 - 4500 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 hot-film air-mass sensor (HFM)
- Fuel tank: position / capacity: in front of the rear axle / 62 l
- Frame design: steel unit body
- Front-wheel suspension: double wishbone
- Rear-wheel suspension: multilink suspension (hydropneumatic level control optional)
- Front springs: coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser
- Rear springs: coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser
- Shock absorber front/rear: gas-pressure shock absorbers
- Steering: recirculating-ball power steering
- Brake system (foot brake): hydr. two-cycl. braking device with underpress.19brake energizer and anti-blocking system; disc brakes fore and aft
- 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 15 H 2; with sports suspension: 7 J x 15 H 2
- Tires: 195/65 R 15 91 H; with sports suspension: 205/60 R 15 91 H
- Driven wheels: rear wheels
- Drivetrain: divided cardan shaft
- Gearing: 5-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. 3.91; II. 2.17; III. 1.37; IV. 1.0; V. 0.81; R. 4.27
- Final drive ratio: 3.91
- Maximum speed: 190 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 12.5 s
- Fuel consumption: 6.2 / 7.9 / 10.8 l
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Gearing: 5-speed automatic transmission
- Availibility: optional (from 08.1996)
- Shifting: central floor gear shift lever
- Clutch: hydraulic torque converter with lock-up clutch (governed)
- Transmission type: planetary gear system
- Gear ratios: I. 3.93; II. 2.41; III. 1.49; IV. 1.0; V. 0.83; R. 3.10
- Final drive ratio: 3.64
- Maximum speed: 187 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 13.3 s
- Fuel consumption: 6,3 / 8,0 / 10,6 l
- by Guideline: 80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle
- Wheelbase: 2690 mm
- Front / rear track: 1499 / 1464 mm ("Esprit", "Sport": 1505 / 1469 mm
- Length: 4487 mm
- Width: 1720 mm
- Height: 1460 mm ("Esprit", "Sport": 1431 mm)
- Kerb weight: 1410 kg
- by Guideline: EC 92/21 (including driver, 68 kg, and baggage, 7 kg; tank 90 % full)
- Gross weight: 1920 kg
- Units produced: a total of 69,242 (until 06.2000)
- Prices: 03.1996: DM 47,840.00
03.1997: DM 48,760.00