2020 MERCEDES-AMG GT C ROADSTER COMBINES PERFORMANCE, ELEGANCE 

While it is an outstanding vehicle that takes performance to the extreme, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster is not for everyone, and not just because of its six-figure price tag.

This is a vehicle that requires you to give your full attention to matters behind the wheel, which is not all bad but sometimes you just want to relax and cruise along without worrying about running over some unsuspecting ecobox in your path, not to mention an occasional cyclist.

The AMG GT C is not for the timid. You don’t go about putting 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque at your fingertips without at least a tiny bit of trepidation.

And yet at the same time the luxurious cabin is a powerful attraction. Mercedes designers have filled the interior with rich leather and soft touch spots and a whole swatch of technological features to enhance your overall driving/riding experience.

Think Dodge Viper outfitted in formal attire.

Included in the base MSRP of $162,400 for the GT C Roadster are niceties like dual zone climate control, a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, COMAND navigation on wide HD display map, power heated AMG performance seats with lumbar support and memory, an AMG performance steering wheel, a power soft top that raises and lowers in 11 seconds and at speeds up to 31 mph, and Mercedes Airscarf system to channel warm air to the back of your neck when driving in cooler conditions with the top down.

Safety features include the usual assortment of airbags and seat belts plus active braking assist, lane-keeping and blind-spot assist, rearview and frontview cameras, and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system that activates various safety precautions when sensors detect a collision coming.

Other standard features include LED headlamps and taillights, stop/start fuel-saving system (which can be deactivated by pushing a button), AMG adaptive sport suspension, AMG performance exhaust (oh, what a seat song it sings), and rear-wheel steering.

Engineers thought of darn near everything.

Under the hood of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster is a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine that is mated to an AMG 7-speed double-clutch transmission that can be upgraded to not only to Sport or Sport-Plus modes but Race mode as well. That combination zips you from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

About the only thing you don’t get from the drivetrain is fuel economy. The EPA figures of 15 miles-per-gallon city, 20 highway, and 17 combined earns the 2020 AMG GT C a $1,000 Gas Guzzler’s Tax. According to DOT ratings you’ll spend about $6,750 more in fuel costs over a 5-year period than the average new vehicle.

That tax and extras like a Burmeister Premium Sound system, an Active Distance Assistance Distronic that automatically keeps you at a set distance from a vehicle in front of you, a couple of other stand-alone options, and a $995 destination and delivery charge ran the total of my test vehicle to $174, 665.

As I said, not a vehicle for everybody.

What I liked about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: They had me at “convertible.” The interior is lush with high quality materials as expected from the brand. The performance, of course, is breathtaking and everything you could ask for.

What I didn’t like about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: Somehow, the Germans keep coming up with ideas to make operation of their plentiful technology even more complicated. Maybe I’m in the minority but I don’t think a touchpad on the console is the way to go for automotive vehicles. You can easily trigger a change if your hand drifts when reaching for the cupholder. The ride can be very noisy even with the top up, but it’s not from the wind. The engine roar tends to drown out normal conversations on the highway.

Would I buy the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster? Certainly not for everyday use, that’s for sure. This is an automotive extravagance that is far beyond even my usual automotive dreams. But if you have a high six-figure budget for a weekend performance car, this certainly is one that should be on your list.