I agree, the SuperCal and the new Spark are quite different bikes now. The Spark would be much, much more capable when it gets steeper/more technical for the same rider. It’s definitely a long bike, it’s ~30mm longer than my current Spark 910 with the same HTA, and about the same as the Norco Revolver (very similar geo with a DownCountry orientation).
I guess beauty is also in the eye of the beholder, the compact rear triangle is actually growing on me more and more. The clean lines are really appealing. The oddest part to look at for me is the thick headtube (straight, can shape) to allow for the cables. It just looks weird to me now and the taper on most other bikes seems to flow to the top and down tubes more nicely 
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