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So it also should have better bump compliance than dual short link/dw and better pedal efficiency than fsr/split pivot.

It will be stiffer than Horst and easier on the bearings than dual short. Only time will tell if they execute it well.

bearing spacing width has no positive effect on stiffness

If it were a floating or cantilevered pivot that be true. On the non-drive side the bearing is at a junction, the drive side support is offset a mere 3 inches. There's no way a Horst is stiffer unless Breezer used memory foam instead of bearings to pack the pivot.

if the shock was direct mounted to the chainstay at the seattube/BB that force would be relevant, but that would be very odd.

12mm has helped as much as it helps every other design. The chainstay pivot point is a relic and still prone to flex. I'm glad you agreed with me that the dual short link is stiffer. My point was that it's a great solution, but created a bearing stress issue universal to all iterations of that concept. You might be right about the direct link of the shock to the swingarm, but there would have to be considerable lateral deflection to have any consequence. But with this design, the fulcrum for this deflection would exert a small force over a...

Yes, and Horst isn't know for being stiff. This bike attempts to remedy that by getting away from the link near the junction of the chainstay and the seatstay (well known flex issue). Also the direct mount of the shock to the swing arm and the seatstay stiffeners will help stiffen the rear. The dual short link design fixed this issue, but caused another (extreme bearing stress). The longer links and low rotation should solve that issue.

Europe gets the Schwalbe Nobby Nic and the States get WTB Vigilante. How very nerdy of me to notice. Clean Bike, I can't wait to see if it works as advertised.

Enduro has the chainstay pivot back further, link mount up 2-3 inches on seat tube and no seatstay stiffeners. Granted, they may look similar, but should perform differently. All my FSR type bikes have had the chainstay bearings fail first, shortly followed by the BB pivot bearing. I once even broken an FSR link in half and had to whittle a small chunk of wood to lock the suspension out and get me down the last 7 miles of a 20 mile DH.

Smart design solution. Anyone who assumes this would be flexy has no engineering knowledge. The reinforcement of the chainstay/seatstay (ie what looks like a mini seatstay) should make this a very stiff rear triangle. There's been some speculation about the placement of the pivot along the chainstay regarding chainslap and durability. I think that is easily mitigated with a small top mounted chainslap protector. Pivots located anywhere along the chainstay will always be subject to a lot of grime, so I don't think that factor worsens in this design from any other. I can't wait to give it a test...