Multiple reports from a Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) press event at E3 claim that SCEE president David Reeves has confirmed that Europe will shortly see the introduction of an 80GB hard drive equipped PlayStation 3.
In-line with announcements made for North America at
Sony’s pre-E3 media briefing on Tuesday, the new 80GB model will be introduced on August 27th while at the same time the 40GB model is phased out. The 80GB version will be priced at the same £299/€399 as the 40GB version.
Reeves also indicated that “promotional bundles” will arrive in all PAL territories between mid-September and mid-December at a range of prices. However, it is not clear whether the DualShock 3 controller, which is currently not included in any official bundle in Europe, will be featured.
“The 40GB model will be replaced by 80GB. Don’t ask if we’re going to go down in price on 40GB – the answer is no,”
said Reeves in comments reported by UK trade paper MCV. “This has been planned by Kaz [Hirai] for months. There are very few 40GB models left - especially in UK. We predict we'll be out of stock by the time we launch."
