From our talks on the 250 forums it's not going to be $3500. But it is, indeed, very nice.
It's out because Cali emissions won't allow any more carbbed bikes to be sold new.
If you think that's special, wait till you see the 500. It'll be back in the hey-day, they'll have the race track oriented machines (zx6r, zx10r, zx14r) the single touring model (C14) and then the more reasonable 650R / 600zzR, the 500 and 250s.
I'm still thinking about that 250, but I actually doubt we'll see it. Maybe Canada will. The 250 sales figures are stronger than imagined, but not that strong.
I dunno, I'll keep my fingers crossed.