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    CultureMap Auto Awards

    The Hot Hatch of the Year: Fiat 500 Abarth is a little car that elicits bigsmiles — and a growl

    Kevin McCauley
    Nic Phillips
    Jan 1, 2013 | 1:21 pm
    • 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth - CultureMap 2012 Hot Hatch of the Year
      Photo by Kevin McCauley
    • 2012 Mini Coupe John Cooper Works - Runner-up CultureMap 2012 Hot Hatch of theYear
      Photo by Kevin McCauley

    Editor's Note: In the first annual CultureMap Auto Awards, automotive writers Nic Philllps and Kevin McCauley bestow honors in 10 categories for the top 2012 cars and trucks and explain why they're deserving of a good hard look. First up:

    Hot Hatch of the Year: Fiat 500 Abarth

    As smaller cars increasingly become cool again, a nice side benefit is the louder, quicker performance versions that often make their way into showrooms. There was no hatch hotter in 2012 than the Fiat 500 Abarth.

    It wasn't the quickest or the most refined but it brought style, character and a stinging exhaust growl backing up the Scorpion badge. It was one of the most emotive cars we drove all year, and we remember it fondly as the little car that put the biggest smile on your face.

    This year, the 500 Abarth loses its top — making it all the more desirable.

    The Fiat 500 Abarth starts at just $22,700 and breaks at around $27,000 with all the tricks.

    Hot Hatch Runner-up:MINI Coupe John Cooper Works

    MINI has taken the charm amp and dialed it up to 11 in the JCW Coupe, the most hardcore MINI ever offered.

    It's a superior car in many ways to the 500 Abarth in that it's a serious sports car with a thoroughly sorted suspension and powertrain to match. It has vastly better fit and finishes but is not any faster than the regular MINI despite not having a backseat.

    And with a starting price at around $32,000 (nearly $10,000 dollars more than the Fiat) and surpassing $40,000 with options, the choice was clear.

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    news/innovation
    series/htx-cars-in-lifestyle

    economic news

    Texas slides down the list of best U.S. state economies for 2025

    Amber Heckler
    Jun 9, 2025 | 2:15 pm
    Hand of woman putting money in jar
    Getty Images
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    After riding high among the top five best state economies in 2024, Texas' robust economy may be showing some cracks. Texas now ranks as the state with the eighth best economy, four spots lower than last year's ranking, according to a new WalletHub report.

    WalletHub's experts ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 metrics to measure each state's economic activity and health and its "innovation potential."

    Massachusetts moved up two spots from last year to claim the No. 1 best state economy title for 2025, followed by Utah (No. 2) and Washington (No. 3). Texas was surpassed by No. 4-ranking California, as well as New Hampshire (No. 5), North Carolina (No. 6), and Idaho (No. 7).

    This is how Texas fared across the three major categories in the study:

    • No. 4 – Economic activity (down from No. 2)
    • No. 11 – Economic health (down from No. 7)
    • No. 24 – Innovation potential (unchanged)
    Texas ranked No. 1 with the most exports per capita in a three-way tie with Louisiana and Kentucky, the report found.
    The Lone Star State prides itself on its business-friendliness, and cities like Houston boast some of the most innovative companies in the nation. Texas also ranked 13th in WalletHub's separate study of the most and least innovative states for 2025.

    WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says the states that have the best economies are often those that invest in new businesses, technology, and more. The report also suggests low unemployment rates and high wages are among the many factors that can help Texas residents be successful while also boosting the state economy.

    "A strong state economy doesn’t guarantee success for the state’s residents, but it certainly makes financial success more attainable," Lupo said.

    The states with the worst economies in 2025, according to WalletHub, are Hawaii (No. 49), West Virginia (No. 50), and Iowa (No. 51).

    texaseconomyinnovationwallethubreports
    news/innovation
    series/htx-cars-in-lifestyle

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