I just hope that with all the changes Gippsland Aeronautics are proposing, the empty weight doesn't increase too much!
I think that given the advances in composites in the last 30 years and current crop of integrated avionics systems with all the belles and whistles including synthetic vision will allow Gippsland to keep the weight growth to an absolute minimum.
The new Twin Otter has faced the issues and looks close to coming out at below 7500lb fully equipped including air-con through the use of these ideas.