16O-induced reactions in nuclear emulsion have been studied at three different energies: 75, 175 and 2000 MeV/A. The probability that the projectile is completely destroyed increases significantly with increasing beam energy. The charge sum of projectile fragments ( Z ⩾ 2) shows a strong odd-even effect favouring even values. Projectile fragments are strongly slowed down at 75 MeV/ A, while at 175 MeV/ A the result is consistent with 2.1 GeV/ A fragmentation data. The downshift in rapidity increases with decreasing impact parameter. The transverse momenta of projectile fragments are larger at 75 MeV/ A than at higher energies, showing important deflections in the Coulomb field. The target disintegration depends on the transverse momentum of the projectile fragment.