Heritage and Tradition
I just can't believe that Kirby, as it exists today, would market such a cheap or plastic product.
They are currently producing the most effective products of their history. I know some will disagree with that but regardless of your favorite Kirby model, recent Kirby's such as the later G series with the newer brush roll are generally thought to be amazing carpet cleaners.
Kirby is so heritage and tradition oriented (honestly, no pun intended) that I can't believe they would offer a cheaper or more poorly build product than in the past. Even when they changed their hose to the current type, which might appear at a quick glance to be the plastic, cheaper hoses of today, this one is of material tested by NASA and seriously is very durable and easy to use. The Tech Drive, while some argue makes it heavy to carry, is top of the line in its ease of push and pull.
I, too, would love to see the new model as a tribute to the 500 series, but with all of today's bells and whistles. And yes, definitely more light and nimble.
We just can't know for sure, right now. Kirby is like Al Qaeda at keeping their secrets safe, I want to hold out the highest hopes that Kirby's new model will blow our minds as to quality, ties to the past but most importantly, amazing innovation.