Rumours that Microsoft is planning to release an upgraded version of the Xbox 360 have intensified today, with some reports claiming that the new model will be called the Xbox 360 Elite.

Game Informer and Engadget are carrying information claiming to be proof that the "Xbox Elite" will be released in April to sit on store shelves besides the existing Premium and Core models of the console. Dressed up in a slick black finish, the new machine boasts a 120GB hard drive and HDMI support - but, sadly, no internal HD-DVD drive.

Engadget says that the Elite edition of Microsoft's second console will be available for retail in limited quantities across the US for $479 USD. The tech site adds that once the allocation of Elite consoles is sold out, the Premium pack will then be revised to include HDMI support, larger hard disk space, and will initially be set at the same price point of $479 USD.

If the Elite does in fact surface, it will certainly feel like a (welcome but) tactical move by Microsoft to boost the sales of the Xbox brand in the US in light of competition from the Nintendo Wii  and PlayStation 3. Current monthly sales place the Xbox 360 somewhere between the two.

Today's chatter builds on the stories that GamerSquad brought to you earlier on in the year (which you can read HERE and HERE).

One of the first rumours surfaced in Australia when the employee of a department store (Myers) let the following out of the bag after a product training session:

"Well day 2 of product knowledge today (Brisbane, Australia) featured Microsoft themselves and it’s now 100% official that the Black 360, (with black controller), 120gb hard drive and HDMI is due out in Australia for $749 AU in April," recounts the info currently doing the news feeds rounds. "They will try to push this forward to late March to deter buyers from the March 23 PS3 launch.”