[b]---- UPDATE ---- UPDATE ----- UPDATE -----
As suggested in this story and stated in our original story from August 22nd - the 160Gb PS3 has now been confirmed as a Limited Edition unit.
SCEE headman, David Reeves, has told
MCV, "The 160GB is a limited edition that we’re doing to see how it goes in all the territories.
“If you look at the reaction on MCV’s website, people are responding to the news by saying ‘I want a 500GB PS3’, but other people are saying ‘I haven’t filled up any of my hard drive’.”
---- UPDATE ---- UPDATE ----- UPDATE -----[/b]
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has told SPOnG that the upcoming 160GB PlayStation 3 could be a limited-time offer.
A Sony rep told us, "The 160GB is a special edition PS3, which will be available for the peak season. Once the peak season is over, we will reassess the situation."
The wording is slightly different to that of a Sony Australia rep, who
called the new model a "limited-edition SKU". Normally, "special edition" is fairly interchangeable with "limited edition", but while the Aussie rep's comments suggested the new SKU will definitely be available for a limited time, SCEE's comment leaves plenty of wiggle room to continue production.
You can find SPOnG's initial report on the 160GB PS3
here.