panasonicvac: "I just reached out to the Consumer Relations Manager at Kirby. Right now there isn't a new model planned to be released anytime soon. The design and engineering team are still working to develop a Kirby that's supposed to be proven overall better than it's predecessor. "
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Well that's good they are doing something, and it proves there is a new model coming (which was just speculation for the past many years). Let's just hope all of us will still be alive to see it now......
I can guarantee they will be making it lighter, that is the #1 complaint with Kirby vacuums. The other is the tool attaching. I still think if they can make the tool attachment feature some magnetic attachment system where it just clicks on and stays on - maybe some kind of diverter valve to switch from floor to hose - that would likely ease the conversion process and also would be an extra benefit to protect the fan blades from metal bits being sucked up.
It would be totally hilarious if their new design just ended up looking like the Bison, which was actually brilliant for that time period if it wasn't so poorly built.
