I'll chime in here from a Henchman's POV. Having simplified cards that still have the 'core' of what a model is about is going to be a god send from a demo perspective. It makes the game much less intimidating for a newcomer, then being able to add on additional abilities to models once you understand their core function grades the learning process so much more.
In addition upgrades have so many exciting possibilities as to how to run campaigns, narrative scenarios, themed leagues (say a set of upgrades available for Dead of Winter games ro the like), theres a lot of positive possibilities here for me.