GSrdr, there are few generalizations you can make about Newells for one year vs the next year. Newells are custom built and they typically try new ideas on a coach to see how well it performs prior to adding it to most of their coaches (the reason I say most is that some buyers prefer the old and will order a new coach without the 'new' enhancement). Many major changes don't even occur at a model year change but during the middle of the year. An example is the slideouts that Tuga has mentioned. While it is true that NO Newell prior to 1997 was built will a slideout room, many of the 1997's don't have one either. Steve's coach 458 is, according to Newell, likely the first coach they build with a slide and it was close to the end of the 1997's. Even the major change to the 2000 series in 1990 was not absolute. I was told by Newell that at least one 'Classic' Newell was built during the 1990 model year as the new buyer preferred the Classic look. The new features were frequently added to show coaches. 1992 coach 303 is a 1992 that has numerous features that are not included on my 1992 (#281). Some of those features did not become 'standard' until 1993 or even 1994. Newells are typically evolutionary rather than revolutionary in changes. Even changes such as the Bode air-operated coach door was introduced on a 2000 show coach but did not become standard on all coaches even in 2001. If my records are correct, 671 was the first coach to use the ZF steerable tag but no others were built that way until 681 and 685.
Between 1996 and 1997 there were few, if any, across the board changes. The really major changes were 1990 with the Series 2000 body style, 1994/95 with the Series 60 engine (which included a total change in rear floor plans with the east/west mounted beds and rear walk-in closets and other changes as a result of the longer taller engine), slide-outs during the 1997 model year, new front cap in model year 2000, the change from HWH to Valid electric slides during the 2003 model year, the introduction of the i body enhancements and the shift toward Caterpillar engines and the availability of the ZF 10 speed transmission in 2005 and P front design by Porsche in late 2006 standard by 2007.
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