- 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 / 271.941
- 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: 9.5
- Rated output: 120 kW / 163 hp at 5500 /min
- Rated torque: 240 Nm at 3000 - 4000 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 / 65 l, optional: 80 l
- Frame design: steel unit body
- Front-wheel suspension: four-link suspension / McPherson strut
- Rear-wheel suspension: multilink suspension (air suspension and level control optional)
- Front springs: coil springs (air suspension optional), torsion bar stabiliser
- Rear springs: coil springs (air suspension optional), torsion bar stabiliser
- Shock absorber front/rear: gas-pressure shock absorbers
- Steering: rack-and-pinion power steering
- Brake system (foot brake): Sensotronic Brake Control electrohydraulic brake system with antilock system and Brake Assist; 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 16 H 2; for "Elegance", "Avantgarde": 7 1/2 J x 16 H 2
- Tires: 205/60 R 16 92 V; for "Elegance", "Avantgarde": 225/55 R 16 95 V
- 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: 224 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.6 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.6 / 6.1 / 8.4 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 (until 08.2003)
- 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: 224 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.6 s
- Fuel consumption: 11.6 / 6.1 / 8.4 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. 3.96; II. 2.42; III. 1.49; IV. 1.0; V. 0.83; R. 3.15
- Final drive ratio: 3.46
- Maximum speed: 227 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 9.9 s
- Fuel consumption: 12.8 / 6.4 / 8.7 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: 2854 mm
- Front / rear track: 1577 / 1570 mm ("Elegance", "Avantgarde": 1559 / 1552 mm)
- Length: 4818 mm
- Width: 1822 mm
- Height: 1450 mm (with sports suspension, "Avantgarde": 1433 mm)
- Kerb weight: 1570 kg
- by Guideline: EC 92/21 (including driver, 68 kg, and baggage, 7 kg; tank 90 % full)
- Gross weight: 2105 kg
- Units produced: 89,356
- Prices: 08.2002: EUR 34,336.00
02.2003: EUR 35,206.00
02.2004: EUR 35,728.00
01.2005: EUR 36,308.00
04.2005: EUR 36,656.00
02.2006: EUR 37,178.00