Green,
Yes, $2,245 is the suggested retail.  If you have a cozy relationship with your FFL you might likely do better than that, of course.
You have to remember the Premium is going to be a very limited, very exclusive custom firearm.  I don't think people are going to buy these for carry guns.  The factory doesn't expect to sell a lot of these each year.
The higher price is a result of the incredible amount of additional work and hand polishing that will go into the Premium.  Rohrbaugh has a jewler on staff who will be doing all the cosmetic work.  Plus, the Premium will have (for a while--while supplies last) the last of the carbon fiber grips.  After that, a similarly exotic grip option will be available.
Unless you are a collector, the R-9 Elite is going to give you everything you want, I think.  But, if you have $2,000+ burning a hole in your pocket....