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The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class range encompasses a fine array of premium compact cars. At one end of the spectrum is a plug-in hybrid sedan. At the other, a soft-top with 503 horsepower. In between, there are various amounts of power and equipment, along with coupe variants. As one of the company's top sellers, successive waves of C-Classes come ever closer to emulating the excellent S-Class flagship sedan on a smaller scale. But that still means useful occupant space, an optional air suspension, exciting technology and state-of-the-art safety equipment, all wrapped up in sophisticated styling. What's New for 2018? A 9-speed automatic transmission replaces the 7-speed unit in last year's C 300 and C 300 4Matic variants, resulting in 0.2 seconds shaved from the sedans' 0-to-60 mph time, which is now 5.8 seconds. The C 350e plug-in hybrid receives LED headlamps as standard. The C 300 Coupe gets a rearview camera as standard. A power sunroof is standard for the sedans; extendable sun visors are standard throughout. A smartphone integration package (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) is a new option. Mercedes-Benz says its AMG engineers have revised various technical features of the C 43 to improve its driving dynamics and bring them more into line with the higher-level AMG models. The options structure has also changed. The bundles are now smaller, making it easier for buyers to select their preferred features. What We Like Styling; technology; quiet, well-trimmed cabin; impressive handling; optional air suspension What We Don't Pricey options (as usual with German cars) How Much $41,245-$82,495 Fuel Economy The entry-level C 300 moves to the tune of 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine linked to a new 9-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system as an option. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the rear-drive C 300 sedan achieves 24 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in combined driving. The 4Matic version returns 23 mpg city/32 mpg hwy/26 mpg combined. In rear-drive guise or as a 4Matic model, the C 300 coupe is rated at 22 mpg city/30 mpg hwy/25 mpg combined; the C 300 cabriolet returns 22 mpg city/29 mpg hwy/25 mpg combined. Only the C 350e plug-in hybrid's rear wheels receive the combined system output of 275 hp and 443 lb-ft from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The transmission is a 7-speed automatic. Consumption is calculated by the EPA by taking in both gasoline and electric power to come up with a miles-per-gallon equivalent (mpge). The 2018 C 350e's EPA figures have still to be finalized, but the 2017 model was estimated to achieve 45 mpge city/61 mpge hwy. Range in EV-only mode is around 20 miles. C 43 cars have a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 for a meaty 362 hp and 384 lb-ft. This engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard. The EPA puts consumption at 20 mpg city/27 mpg hwy/23 mpg combined in the sedan and coupe versions, and 19 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined in the cabriolet. A turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 propels both the C 63 and the C 63 S. The former kicks out 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the latter is boosted to 503 hp and 516 lb-ft. These cars use AMG-tuned 7-speed automatic transmissions and are rear-wheel-drive. The C 63 and C 63 S sedans achieve 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy/20 mpg combined. Both C 63 coupes return 17 mpg city/23 mpg hwy/29 mpg combined, and the cabriolets manage 17 mpg city/22 mpg hwy/19 mpg combined. All C-Class models have an Eco driving mode, which uses an automatic stop/start feature to save fuel when the car is at rest. Standard Features and Options The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes in sedan, coupe and cabriolet (4-seater soft-top) body styles, with choices of drivetrains and features. All-wheel drive (4Matic) costs $2,000 extra where applicable. The C 300 sedan ($41,245) has 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, simulated leather upholstery (much better than it sounds), a 14-way power driver's seat with memory, a power front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, the Comand infotainment system with a 7-in screen, Bluetooth and an 8-speaker audio system with USB/SD card slots and HD Radio. An AMG Line bundle brings AMG body styling, 18-in AMG wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, performance front brakes, a sport steering wheel and various sporty interior flourishes. A Driver Assistance package includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision mitigation and lane-keeping assistance. The Advanced Lighting Package brings full LED lighting inside and out, automatic high beams and headlamps that follow the steering. The Multimedia package enlarges the infotainment screen to 8.4 inches while bringing a touchpad controller, navigation and voice control. The sedan-only C 350e ($48,895) has the air suspension, LED headlamps and 18-in alloys as standard. The C 300 coupe ($44,195) and C 300 cabriolet ($52,195) come with keyless entry/start, satellite radio, blind spot monitoring and 18-in alloy wheels. Naturally, the cabriolet has a powered fabric roof, with the neck-heating Airscarf feature as standard. Additional C-Class options include leather upholstery, heated and/or ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wood/leather steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, keyless entry/ignition, a cabin ventilation system that emits fragranced air, a head-up display, an illuminated grille star, a 590-watt/13-speaker Burmester audio system, satellite radio, a powered trunk lid, an adaptive air suspension and active parking. The C 43 sedan ($54,395), coupe ($56,895) and cabriolet ($61,795) have all-wheel drive as standard. The C 63 sedan ($67,095/$74,695 for the S), coupe ($68,495/$76,495) and cabriolet ($74,495/$82,495) have an aero body kit, 18-in alloys, huge brakes, a sport suspension, a sport exhaust, more prominent seat bolsters and dedicated interior trim. Exclusive AMG-related options include a limited-slip differential, plus dedicated cosmetic and performance upgrades. Safety The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the C-Class sedan four out of five stars for front-impact protection, five stars in the side-impact test, four in its rollover test and five out of five overall. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a top score of Good in the side- and moderate-front overlap crash tests, plus Superior (with the optional safety equipment) for front-crash prevention. The C-Class comes with stability control, antilock disc brakes and a comprehensive tally of airbags as standard. Rear side airbags are optional. Parking sensors and a self-parking system are also available. Cabriolet versions have a special rollover-protection system. Behind the Wheel The overall look and feel is strikingly upscale. Materials and finishes are uniformly top-notch. The Comand system has its familiar control knob on the center console but puts a touch-sensitive extension on top for smartphone-like swiping gestures. There's a learning curve, but the horizontal menus at the top and bottom of the screen are user-friendly. It's hard to fault the front seats in any model, though the sedan's rear legroom is a tad tight if tall folks are sitting up front. Naturally, rear passenger space is a little tighter in the coupe and cabriolet versions, but still bearable for an adult of average size. Trunk capacity in the sedan is 12.6 cu ft. (average for the segment). The C 350e's trunk space is 11.8 cubes, because it has to accommodate some of the plug-in hybrid hardware. The coupe runs to 10.5 cu ft., and the cabriolet has 8.8 cu ft. -- like the sedans, their rear seats will also split and fold. The C-Class is remarkably quiet, cruising at highway speeds like a bona fide luxury car. The standard suspension's ride is taut but well-damped; the optional air suspension is a joy. The sport-tuned suspension amplifies the occasional thud, but it also turns the C-Class into a genuine 3 Series rival. Apart from insufficient steering feel through fast corners, there's little room for improvement. Many drivers will be satisfied with the 4-cylinder engine, which has enough torque for most situations. However, the C 43 straddles the area between regular C-Class cars and the higher-performance C63 derivations. That's a sweet spot, because sometimes an AMG in typical traffic feels like taking an alpha wolf to the dog park. At the heady end of the performance spectrum, the C 63's V8 is one of the world's finest engines. Other Cars to Consider 2018 Audi A4 -- One year into a new generation. Polished and packed with tech. The S4 is a credible alternative to the C 43. The new A5/S5 also goes up against the C-Class coupes and cabriolets. 2018 BMW 3 Series -- An unbeatable mix of athleticism and luxury, and it has an adult-size back seat. A new generation is expected for 2019. A buyer might well be torn between an M3 (or M4) and a C 63 sedan or coupe. 2018 Cadillac ATS -- One of the best-handling compact sport sedans. 2018 Lexus IS -- Distinctive styling, smart interior and a generous equipment list. Used Cadillac CTS -- An excellent luxury sedan and a blast to drive hard. A certified pre-owned (CPO) model enables a step up to the midsize segment without spending more money. Autotrader's Advice With several body styles and engine choices, a recommendation for one person would make no sense for another. But you can't go wrong with any of them. We do have a fondness for each of the C 43 variants, however.

Hugh Hefner, American founder of the international adult magazine Playboy, has died at the age of 91. Playboy Enterprises Inc said he passed away peacefully at home in Los Angeles, from natural causes. Hefner began publishing Playboy in his kitchen in 1953. It became the largest-selling men's magazine in the world, shifting seven million copies a month at its peak. Cooper Hefner, his son, said he would be "greatly missed by many". He paid tribute to his father's "exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer," and called him an advocate for free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom. Obituary: 'The luckiest cat on the planet' Playboy magazine reinstates nudity Hefner's trailblazing magazine helped make nudity respectable in mainstream publications, despite emerging at a time when US states could legally ban contraceptives. It also made him a multi-millionaire, spawning a business empire that included casinos and nightclubs. The first edition featured a set of nude photographs of Marilyn Monroe that Hefner had bought for $200. They had originally been shot for a 1949 calendar. The silk pyjama-clad mogul became famous for his hedonism, dating and marrying Playboy models. In his later years he threw decadent parties at the luxurious Playboy mansion in Los Angeles. He claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women, and credited the impotence drug Viagra with maintaining his libido. "I am a kid in a candy store," Hefner famously said. "I dreamed impossible dreams, and the dreams turned out beyond anything I could possibly imagine. I'm the luckiest cat on the planet." From 2005-10, a reality TV show called "The Girls Next Door" showcased Hefner's libertine lifestyle - and the harem of young blonde women who shared it. In 2012, aged 86, he married his third wife Crystal Harris - who was 60 years his junior. Though critics saw Playboy as a byword for sleaze, its founder - who was born into a strict Methodist family - never shared that view. "I've never thought of Playboy quite frankly as a sex magazine," Hefner told CNN in 2002. "I always thought of it as a lifestyle magazine in which sex was one important ingredient."

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Turkey's president has said Iraqi Kurds could go hungry as a result of the punitive measures he is considering after Monday's independence referendum. Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government of "treachery" for pressing ahead with the vote despite international opposition. Massoud Barzani should now "give up on this adventure", he said. Iraq's prime minister meanwhile gave the KRG three days to hand over control of its airports or face an air embargo. Haider al-Abadi also demanded that all border posts with Turkey, Syria and Iran be placed under Baghdad's supervision, according to state television. On Monday night, Mr Abadi declared that he would not discuss the result of the referendum, which is expected to be "yes", because it had been "unconstitutional". Kurdish leaders have said a "yes" vote will not automatically trigger a declaration of independence, but rather give them a mandate to start negotiations on secession with the central government in Baghdad and with neighbouring countries. 'Sabre-rattling for domestic audience' By Mark Lowen, Turkey correspondent, BBC News This was the strongest rhetoric yet from President Erdogan on the Kurdish referendum. He called it a "threat to national security". Once again he threatened military or economic intervention, without elaborating. Turkey is worried that independence might further Kurdish insurgency here and is concerned for ethnic Turkmen in the city of Kirkuk, which the Kurds want to be part of any future state. But there was a lot for a domestic audience - sabre-rattling to please nationalists at home. Ankara has built a strong relationship with the Iraqi Kurds through an oil pipeline that feeds the Kurdish economy and Turkey's energy needs. And the authorities in Irbil oppose the PKK Kurdish militant group, allowing Turkish military bases in northern Iraq. Mr Erdogan warned he could close the oil valves in Turkey - but it has not yet happened. With Turkey's notoriously abrasive president, the oratory sometimes does not actually translate into action. Iraqi Kurdish referendum: What is at stake? Iraqi Kurdistan profile In a speech on Tuesday, Mr Erdogan said he had expected "until the last moment" that Kurdistan Regional President Massoud Barzani would postpone the vote. "This referendum decision, which has been taken without any consultation, is treachery," he said. On Monday night, Mr Abadi declared that he would not discuss the result of the referendum, which is expected to be "yes", because it had been "unconstitutional". Kurdish leaders have said a "yes" vote will not automatically trigger a declaration of independence, but rather give them a mandate to start negotiations on secession with the central government in Baghdad and with neighbouring countries. 'Sabre-rattling for domestic audience' By Mark Lowen, Turkey correspondent, BBC News This was the strongest rhetoric yet from President Erdogan on the Kurdish referendum. He called it a "threat to national security". Once again he threatened military or economic intervention, without elaborating. Turkey is worried that independence might further Kurdish insurgency here and is concerned for ethnic Turkmen in the city of Kirkuk, which the Kurds want to be part of any future state. But there was a lot for a domestic audience - sabre-rattling to please nationalists at home. Ankara has built a strong relationship with the Iraqi Kurds through an oil pipeline that feeds the Kurdish economy and Turkey's energy needs. And the authorities in Irbil oppose the PKK Kurdish militant group, allowing Turkish military bases in northern Iraq. Mr Erdogan warned he could close the oil valves in Turkey - but it has not yet happened. With Turkey's notoriously abrasive president, the oratory sometimes does not actually translate into action. Iraqi Kurdish referendum: What is at stake? Iraqi Kurdistan profile In a speech on Tuesday, Mr Erdogan said he had expected "until the last moment" that Kurdistan Regional President Massoud Barzani would postpone the vote. "This referendum decision, which has been taken without any consultation, is treachery," he said. Cross-border trade between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey was worth some $5bn (£3.7bn) in the first six months of 2017, according to Kurdish officials, while hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil flow daily through a pipeline from Kurdish-controlled oil fields to the Mediterranean via Turkish territory. Iraqi soldiers also joined Turkish troops for military exercises in south-eastern Turkey on Monday, near the border with Iraq. Iran, which also has a Kurdish minority, banned direct flights to and from the Kurdistan Region on Sunday. The US earlier said it was "deeply disappointed" that the Kurdistan Region held the referendum, but stressed that their "historic relationship" would not change. The referendum was held in the three Iraqi provinces that make up the Kurdistan Region, as well as in adjoining disputed areas claimed by the Kurds and the Arab-led central government that are controlled by Kurdish Peshmerga forces. The Kurdish news agency Rudaw reported that 72% of the 5.2 million Kurds and non-Kurds registered as resident in those areas had voted. Ballots were still being counted on Tuesday, with initial results expected by the end of the day. Kurds are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East but they have never obtained a permanent nation state. In Iraq, where they make up an estimated 15% to 20% of the po[CENSORED]tion of 37 million, Kurds faced decades of repression before acquiring autonomy in 1991.

RAM does a good job of providing a variety of trim packages and options to keep customers engaged with the brand -- many automakers are doing this in order to offer truck buyers a unique look and some features tailored to a specific lifestyle. The 2017 RAM 1500 Night Edition is one such example. Our staff spent some time with this full-size truck, and here are some of their impressions. The Nighttime Treatment The RAM 1500 is a huge truck, but it doesn't seem quite as big as a Ford F-150. Though we had high hopes for this pickup, we thought our Night Edition wasn't as exciting as other versions of the RAM 1500. It didn't provide us much of a wow factor when we viewed the entire truck. Yes, the 20-inch matted wheels are a nice touch. And the Night Edition package adds eye-catching black accents -- but we weren't very fond of the blacked-out grille. It may have looked better with a body-color grille featuring a black RAM emblem instead. A Cabin of Compartments The black interior, with the mix of cloth and leather, was kind of bland. For $50,245 (with options), we would like to have gotten full leather seats or some kind of color accents. In addition, there isn't much the Night Edition provides you in the way of interior aesthetics. However, the highlight of this vehicle was clearly the amount of storage and compartments it has, starting with a great spot where you can put your phone. There are also two hidden storage areas in the floor of the rear seating, which are ideal for storing valuables or items you need for work. One staffer, who liked the interior, said the storage up front was more than adequate but felt the storage underneath the rear seats could have been larger. The Box Our Night Edition had the RamBox Cargo management system on the bed. It's a feature RAM has offered for a while, providing additional space for your storage needs. But we weren't crazy about the RamBox, as it didn't really look right on a sporty truck like this one. Unlike the rest of the truck bed, the RamBox is made of fiberglass. And while taking photos of the truck, we noticed there was cracking in the RamBox in the recessed section under the push-button release. In fairness, our truck is one that many different automotive publications test and photograph and take off-road, so we admit it hasn't been babied. Still, how will RAM owners treat their trucks? We researched this and found it's a common problem for owners who opted for the RamBox feature. Another online complaint about the RamBox is paint fade, although we didn't notice this on our RAM 1500 Night Edition. The Everyday Drive We were quite surprised as to how well this truck rides. It's very smooth and doesn't have the bounce in the rear you sometimes get from a big pickup. Of course, this is true of nearly all versions of the RAM 1500; it's one of the most luxurious-feeling trucks available. You don't have to get the Night Edition for a smooth, almost carlike ride. However, if you like the look, the Night Edition could easily be a comfortable and capable daily driver fit for a long commute. Our Take Overall, this is not a truck for which we would spend almost $50,000. But currently, RAM is giving $7,500 worth of rebates, which makes the bottom-line price around $43,000. The RAM 1500 Night Edition is a good bit more reasonable and appealing at that price. We like RAM trucks in general and think your money might be better spent on one of the other versions, like the RAM Rebel or RAM Sport.

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If you're interested in cars even in the slightest, you probably already know that the term "Spider" -- or "Spyder" -- is occasionally used to describe small convertibles, usually lightweight 2-seaters like the FIAT 124 Spider or Porsche Boxster Spyder. You may also know the origin behind the term. If you don't, AutoWeek has an excellent summary here, but the basic thinking is that "spider" was a name initially given to small cars or carriages with a fabric roof that could be placed over the top in the event of a rainstorm -- and that the top, when installed, made these vehicles look like a "spider." According to AutoWeek, the term probably made the jump to sports cars as they were looking for older, cool-sounding named to bring back from previous eras -- not unlike what automakers do today. But the thing I've always wondered is this: Why do some automakers spell it "Spyder," with a "y," while others spell it "Spider," with an "i"? It turns out that it's a little simpler than you might think. Well, part of it is simple. One aspect of it is still unknown, namely: Why did automakers start spelling it with a "Y" in the first place? After all, the word is "spider," with an "i," so the "y" thing seems out of place. But regardless of their reasons, they did it, and now "Spyder" is the generally accepted way to spell it when you have a small convertible with a fabric top -- see, for instance, the Toyota MR2 Spyder, and the Porsche 918 Spyder, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, and the Audi R8 Spyder, and more. Indeed, virtually everyone spells it this way, now, if they're releasing a "Spyder," with just one exception: the Italians. It's true: The Italians are the only ones who spell it with an "I," and they do it virtually every time. The Ferrari 488 Spider, the FIAT 124 Spider, the Alfa Romeo Spider and on and on -- though there have been a few times (Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, Maserati Spyder) where they've compromised on this. But generally speaking, you have the Italians spelling it "Spider," and everyone else spelling it "Spyder." The reason for this? There is no "y" in the Italian alphabet. So while the rest of us have all adopted this odd term -- "Spyder" -- the Italians are left out of the fun since their alphabet doesn't give them the letters for "Spyder." Instead, they stick with "Spider." And so if you're ever writing out a car name with "Spider" or "Spyder" in the title and you're not sure whether it's spelled with a "y" or an "i," you can generally rely on the rule that Italian cars are with an "i," and everyone else is with a "y." Unless it's the Lamborghini Huracan. But, folks, let's be honest: That's a German car anyway.

Three Israelis have been shot dead by a Palestinian at the entrance to a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, Israeli police say. The gunman, a 37-year-old from a nearby village, was also shot and died later. Police say he pulled out a gun as he waited to enter Har Adar along with Palestinian labourers and opened fire on police and security guards. It is the latest in a wave of attacks on Israelis, mostly by Palestinians or Israeli Arabs, since late 2015. No group has claimed the attack, although Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have welcomed it. The gunman, who had an Israeli permit to work in Jewish settlements along the boundary of the West Bank, "aroused the suspicion of border patrol and security personnel" while approaching the checkpoint to Har Adar, Israeli police said in a statement. After being ordered to stop, he "raised his shirt, pulled out a pistol and shot at" the guards "at close range", the statement added. One other person was seriously injured. The identities of the Israelis who were killed have not been released. At least 50 Israelis and five foreign nationals have been killed in stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks since October, 2015. Around 300 Palestinians - most of them attackers, Israel says - have also been killed in that period. Others have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops. Israel says Palestinian incitement has fuelled the attacks. The Palestinian leadership has blamed frustration rooted in decades of Israeli occupation.

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