Microsoft unveils Xbox Elite

Microsoft has unveiled a new model Xbox 360, dubbed Xbox 360 Elite and due to go on sale April 29 in the US.

The new model comes in a black finish, as will the controller and other peripherals, and features a new 120GB hard-drive, as well as a HDMI port and bundled HDMI cable.

The console will retail in North America for USD 479 (EUR 358 / GBP 243), with the hard-drive available at a stand alone price of USD 179 (EUR 134 / GBP 91).

The separate hard-drive will also come with a data transfer cable allowing users to copy game saves, marketplace downloads and other content from the smaller 20GB drive.

"Today's games and entertainment enthusiast has a insatiable appetite for digital high-definition content," commented Peter Moore, corporate vice president for Microsoft Xbox.

"Xbox 360 Elite's larger drive and premium accessories will allow our community to enjoy all that the next-generation of entertainment has to offer," he added.

Also included in the USD 479 package is a black Xbox Live headset, component/SD cable and a one month subscription to Xbox Live Gold.

A European launch is reportedly scheduled for later in 2007, with Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global platform marketing, telling Xbox Live blog Major Nelson that it will appear here in "late summer". However, a Microsoft UK spokesperson was unable to confirm a date.

More images of the Xbox 360 Elite can bee seen on our sister site Eurogamer.net