Actually the parachute idea was in the plane from very early on - the founder of the company had being in a mid air and lived to tell - figured you needed a little more than luck.
There is a very valid discussion going on if the parachute is really a gimmick or a real tool.
In the GA reality world - most unintentional spins occur in the pattern and there is not enough room fo recovery regardless.
All in all it is a sweet plane - wish I had one