We're still waiting to hear more details on Alfa Romeo's proposed return to the United States. Until then, I'll continue to drool over cars we can't have. Alfa is now releasing the MiTo, the car maker's entry in the hot upscale subcompact market in Europe, Road & Track reports. The name comes from the first two letters of Milan and Torino, the respective homes of Alfa and its parent, Fiat Auto.

Alfa will offer the car with a choice of either a 155 hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline, or a 120 hp, 1.6-liter turbodiesel. Inside, a portable satellite navigation unit sits atop the dash. It's part of Blue&Me, Microsoft's Bluetooth system that's similar to the Ford Sync setup that connects to mobile phones and MP3 players.

The report said that the MiTo also comes with a three-mode control that "alters the vehicle's driving characteristics similar to the Manettino found on Ferraris." The car will compete most directly with the Mini in Europe for now.