Should You Take the Audi TT MK1 Off Road?
The Audi TT MK1 is a classic roadster that’s best left to the pavement.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Audi TT MK1, made from 1998 to 2006, was known for retro styling and exciting performance. But it’s firmly a creature of the urban jungles, and taking it off-roading is not advised.
It’s not that the
Audi TT
MK1 isn’t a splendid car—it is. It’s just not meant to venture off of the beaten path. There are several key factors that make a vehicle suited to off-road driving, and the TT MK1 wants to play on the pavement, thank you very much. Can the Audi TT MK1 go off-road?
It’s not advised. Sure, you could do it—but you’d be sorry. More than likely, you’d end up with a stuck or damaged Audi and an embarrassing interaction with a tow truck driver.
The Audi TT MK1 won numerous awards in its tenure and was one of Car and Driver’s Ten Best for both 2000 and 2001. It’s a fun, sporty roadster with a beautiful aesthetic and a magnetically exhilarating driving experience.
It started at around $32,000 and was offered with a range of 1.8-liter inline 4 engines, and also a 3.2-liter V8. Horsepower varied depending on what was under the hood but could be as much as 225 hp. Today, the average price for a used one is around $11,000, but there’s a lot of variation depending on the year and the features.
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Ground clearance
When it comes to off-roading, ground clearance is one of the most important numbers to take into account. Most experts advise a ground clearance of between 8.8 and 10.8 inches for ideal off-roading ability. The higher your vehicle’s minimum clearance, the freer you are to tackle a range of terrains without worrying about damaging the car’s undercarriage.
The TT MK1? A ground clearance of 5.31 inches. While this contributes to its exhilarating handling and eye-catching style, it does not lend itself to venturing off-road.
Torque
Great off-road vehicles will have a lot of low-end torque—that’s high amounts of torque at a lower rpm. Sheer turning power matters more than speed when you’re off-road, and low-end torque is key to a successful off-road experience versus just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere.
The 2000 model of TT MK1 has 173 lb/ft of torque at 1950 rpm according to Car and Driver. While that is a decent amount, it’s aimed at unlocking the engine’s power for handling and speed on the pavement, not for slowly grinding over muddy obstacles.
Tires
If you’re taking a vehicle off-road, you want
all-terrain
tires or mud tires if you’re really serious. These kinds of tires have a far more aggressive tread pattern that is designed for traction versus speed and handling. They also won’t last very long on pavement. The TT MK1 came with tires that were designed for sporty handling and general, all-season driving. While they’re great for the purposes of being a fun roadster, they’re not tires for off-roading.
Drivetrain
All-wheel or four-wheel drive is a requirement for off-roading, and the Audi TT MK1 does have an all-wheel drive. But this doesn’t make it suitable for off-roading—it makes it suitable for great handling and control on the pavement, especially in poor weather conditions.
Angles
A few other numbers that are vital to off-road success are your angles. Specifically, the approach angle and departure angle that your vehicle can manage. Here’s what that means:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
For an off-road vehicle, you want these numbers to be fairly high—you’ll find them in the 20s, 30s, and even 40s on some popular off-roaders. There doesn't seem to be available data for the Audi TT MK1 on this spec, which makes sense. It’s just not intended for scrabbling over things.
Off-road rating: Don’t try it
We’ve rated the Audi TT MK1 using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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The Audi TT MK1 gets a D for Don’t Try It. It’s a lovely, sporty roadster—but it belongs on the pavement.
The best alternatives to the Audi TT MK1
If you want an off-road vehicle, the Audi TT MK1 is not for you. Here are some alternatives to the Audi TT MK1:
Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
2004 MazdaSpeed Miata MX5 | $2,000 to $4,600 | This sporty convertible two-seater had a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 178 horsepower. |
1995 Mazda RX-7 | $42,847 | Somewhat of a collectible now, this luxury sports car brings 255 horsepower and ample driving comfort. |
1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $4,200 to $7,000 | This popular two-door coupe convertible was highly rated by critics and also very fun to drive. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
One thing that off-road vehicles and sports cars do have in common is that they’re generally more expensive to insure. But when you do your car insurance shopping with
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