Maybe I'm totally missing the boat here, but...
Compared to a 7A, the new 14A shows lower performance specs per the PR sheet, in virtually every area but service ceiling (solo) and useful load, said performance being achieved with a 210 HP ($$$) motor (to make up for the nearly 200 pounds higher empty weight)?
I made a quickie spreadsheet for a 7A w/ a 180HP motor, a 9A w/ a 160, and the new 14A with a 210, all numbers per Van's (didn't include range for -7 or 9, since I don't know how they computed it on their website, and I assumed lower numbers for builds since it's assumed marketing would do the same for PR on a new model, and to get maximum performance figures during testing).
RV-7A RV-9A RV-14A
Light Top Speed
208 197 205
Cruise (75% @ 8000’)
198 189 195
Cruise (55% @8000’)
178 169 172
Stall Speed 51
44 56
Takeoff Distance (ft)
275 300 525
Landing Distance (ft) 350
300 545
Rate of Climb (ft/min)
2100 2000 1800
Ceiling (ft) 23,000 24500
26,000
Range (75% @ 8000’) 938
Range (55% @ 8000’) 1103
Gross Top Speed
207 196 203
Cruise (75% @ 8000’)
197 188 193
Cruise (55% @8000’)
177 168 169
Stall Speed 58
50 56
Takeoff Distance (ft) 575
475 630
Landing Distance (ft)
350 450 715
Rate of Climb (ft/min)
1600 1400 1500
Ceiling (ft)
19500 19000 18,000+
Range (75% @ 8000’) 925
Range (55% @ 8000’) 1080
Specs Span 25' 28 27’
Length 20' 4" 20' 5" 21’ 1”
Height 7' 10" 6' 8’ 2”
Wing Area (sq.ft.) 121 124 126.1
Engine (hp) 180 160 210
Gross weight (lbs) 1800 1750 2050
Wing Loading (gross) 14.8 14.1 16.25
Power Loading (gross) 10 10.9 9.76
Empty Weight (lbs) 1077 1015 1240
Propeller Hartzell c/s
Fuel Capacity (US gal) 42 36 50
Baggage (lbs) 100 75 100
(useful load) 723 735
810
Add in a wing kit (to start) that looks to be a couple of thousand more than the other kits, and...
what am I missing here? Is this just more $ = more comfort, same performance? Or is there something about the thing that makes it that much easier to build? Or what?
And no, this is not "sour grapes"...other than I was hoping they'd come out with something *really* different, like a glider or a seaplane or something

.
Just not getting it...
ETA: Sorry for the crappy formatting...I don't know how to do tables in these posts...