At least we know their kit will not include these parts.

Just to earn extra money on the kit... They can include it in the kit directly....

It makes perfect sense to me both from a modellers as well as a business perspective. It provides more options for the modeller, and will most likely keep the price down on the actual vehicle kit. Just like they did with their M3A3 Bradley and some of their other kits where the interior is sold separately. The M2A3 which includes an interior is (naturally) more expensive than the M3A3 which does not include one. You either pay up front, or have the choice to pay for what you want afterwards.

I wonder if they will also do Resin wheels for the truck and trailer, like they did for there Tiger kits.

More people will complain that it is always included and the price always higher then will complain that it is an add on. The critical thing is the base kit is engineered to take the upgrade and that the main kit and add on are priced at a marketable price. I think this is the way to go about it and Eduard plane kits have evolved to the same kind of model after being all inclusive in years past.

So what are we looking at...$200 plus.

I think it is a great idea to offer it separately, as they did with their M3A3 interior. I bet the price will be around $30-$40 for the engine set.

I think it is a good idea. I almost always build with all openings closed. A lot of extra parts (and some cost) for an engine or interior is just wasted money and effort in my opinion. Miniarts approach is brilliant same exterior kit but you can choose if you want to build and show the interior. / Robin