I recall back, people were wishing for a 60d, but instead got a split in the line up with a new 7d first (with a couple folks balking at the initial price above their range) and then months later received a 60d that some felt underwhelmed too.
You know what, you're absolutely right. Follow that up with 1) stand-alone, the 60D is a wonderful camera for it's segment and 2) people are still harping about piddly things like micro adjustment and plastic on the outside . . . get the 7D if that's what you require; it's a good camera as well.
What you did hit on the head is that this is totally possible, and, the next release could be geared more towards 'the big picture' rather than just keep bumping specs and 'giving people what they expect'.
As others have mentioned before, if you ignore the marketing numbers and look at the new camera for how well it takes pictures in various extreme situations like low light or at high shutter speed, that's what will prove if it's an improvement or not.
The new tech will sooner or later make it into a 5DmkIII and it'll be awesome . . .