There are additional rumors and a new rendering for what is expected to become the least-expensive Alfa Romeo upon introduction, the 2008 Junior.

Already green-lighted for production, the diminutive hatch will take on BMW’s 1-Series and Mini Cooper range, along with the upcoming Fiat 500.

According to MotorAuthority.com, the Junior will likely share platforms with Fiat’s new Grande Punto, and would thus be assembled in Fiat’s Mirafiori, Italy plant. Expect Fiat’s new force-fed 1.4-liter four to develop around 150 horsepower for starters, with an up-engined 1.8-liter JTB direct-injection four giving around 220 horsepower through the company’s Q2 self-locking differential.

While the Junior is expected to be birthed around the same time as the marque returns to North America, MotorAuthority indicates that pricing problems will likely keep them from bringing the car here. That said, with America’s nascent European hot hatch segment (read: Mini Cooper, Audi A3, Volvo C30, BMW 1-series), we couldn’t think of a better way to (re)engender the Italian marque to U.S. enthusiasts.

+ MotorAuthority.com: 2008 Alfa Romeo Junior