I drove a $168,000 Mercedes-AMG GT C to see if this gorgeous and terrifying two-seater is worth the price. Here's the verdict.

The AMG GT C isn't going to save you any money at the pump. Fuel economy is a mere 15 mph city/21 highway/17 combined, and it requires premium gas. But bear in mind that the reason you put petrol into the car's tank is to be able to stomp the accelerator and blast to 60 mph in under four seconds, on the way to a top speed that tickles 200 mph.

The AMG GT C is a throwback machine with an appetite for drama and luxury to spare. It's often pitted against the likes of the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, and while the specs and sticker price are comparable, this is really a car for a person who likes to dress up before they slip behind the wheel. Not quite Aston Martin dressed-up, but well-attired, in a league with the Jaguar F-Type R.

Rear-wheel steering helps the AMG GT negotiate corners, but what's most fun in this thing is the straight-line velocity, whether it's accessed via the straight automatic transmission or while using the paddle shifters to flick through the dual-clutched gearbox. Then the point is to keep going fast. Speed limits on American highways, in this context, are a downer. Yes, I hauled along at the legal limit. But I dreamed of roads where I could fly along for mile after mile at 100 mph, just like in the old days when that's what you did with your luxurious and powerful grand-touring cars.

So, a German muscle car? Sort of. But also a German Corvette, with European manners. In a Vette, you're intimidated by the speed produced by, say, the 650-horsepower motor on the Z06; in the AMG GT, you can sink into the speed — it's actually relaxing.

The AMG GT C is also simply flat-out suave. It's a gentleman's or gentlewoman's car. It prizes good tailoring. But it also isn't afraid to throw a punch. It's also a teeny bit gaudy, but not in the blingy way that some other Mercedes are. For what it is, a serious beast, it's reserved.

I did throw the car into a few corners, and the rear-wheels steering assist did appear to aid in maintaining the AMG GT's composure. The platform is track-worthy, to be sure.

BUT ... what about driving around all slow and cool? Well, that works, too. That's what I like about this breed of automobile — you have the speed and the power on command. But if you just want to tackle some boulevard cruising, you can go for it. OK, the suspension is rather stiffer than what many might favor for cruising. But that's the trade-off for the car remaining crisp at speed.

So, is the AMG GT C worth almost $170,000? It most definitely is. In fact, it might be a bargain — this much car, this much style, this much engineering? Just gazing upon it, I'd say $200,000, easy.