- 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 272 E 30 / 272.940
- Number of cylinders / arrangement: 6 / 90° V; light-alloy block
- Bore x Stroke: 88.0 x 82.1 mm
- Total displacement: 2996 cc
- Compression ratio: 11.3
- Rated output: 170 kW / 231 hp at 6000 rpm
- Rated torque: 300 Nm at 2500 - 5000 rpm
- Number of valves / arrangement: 2 intake, 2 exhaust / V-shaped overhead
- Valve operation: 2 overhead camshafts per cylinder bank (variable adjustment)
- Camshaft drive: intake camshafts via double roller chain, outlet camshafts via gearwheel engagement with intake camshafts
- Fuel system: microprocessor-controlled injection system with hot-film air-mass sensor
- 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: 7 J x 16 H 2
- Tires: 205/55 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. 1.24; V. 1.0; VI. 0.84; R. 4.06
- Final drive ratio: 3.07
- Maximum speed: 250 km/h (electronically governed)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.3 s
- Fuel consumption: 13.7-14.0 / 6.9-7.2 / 9.4-9.7 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)
- Gearing: 7-speed automatic transmission (electronically controlled)
- 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. 4.38; II. 2.86; III. 1.92; IV. 1.37; V. 1.00; VI. 0.82; VII. 0.73; R. 3.42
- Final drive ratio: 3.07
- Maximum speed: 250 km/h (electronically governed)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.2 s
- Fuel consumption: 13.3-13.6 / 7.2-7.5 / 9.4-9.7 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: 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: 1535 kg
- by Guideline: EC 92/21 (including driver, 68 kg, and baggage, 7 kg; tank 90 % full)
- Gross weight: 2015 kg
- Units produced: 15,271
- Prices: 04.2005: EUR 33,408.00
02.2006: EUR 33,640.00
08.2006: EUR 33,872.00
01.2007: EUR 34,748.00