Today Nikon announced the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II, a rethink of the original fast telephoto zoom, with the same overall specification, but quite a few changes in the details.
Like the 24-70mm remake before it, the new 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II gets the Silky Swift VCM focus system and is about 3.5x faster to focus, plus focus tracking while zooming is said to improve 40%. Also like the 24-70mm remake, there's a new, better optical formula that results in higher optical performance while decreasing weight (26% lighter) and length (12mm shorter). Minimum focus distance also improves to a 1:3.3 ratio at 70mm and 1:4 at 200mm (the previous version was 1:5). The extra control ring can now be set to click or be freewheeling, and the included lens hood has an opening that allows adjustment of polarizing filters.
Wait for it...wait for it...after 22 years of directly and loudly complaining, Nikon has finally added an Arca-Swiss dovetail to the foot of the removable tripod collar for this lens. This just makes me more inclined to yell "wolf" when I see one ;~).
Price is now US$3199, and this lens should be available in late March.