The RV6A is not obsolete at all, may be the RV7 has a little more stock fuel, but it was more for production purpose for the RV8 style spar and pre-punch. From a building standpoint the new kits are better, but as far as performance and handling the RV6 is still hot as ever.
Yes auto pilots where stagnated until a few years ago. Navaid was the only game in town up to a few years ago. With in the last few ears Trutrak came out with their first unit. In short order they expanded their line of autopilots to include altitude hold, attitude indicators and stuff that will hold altitude and climb or descend at a fixed VSI like the equipment in a commercial or corporate jet. Than Trio came along soon after that.
I remember an autopilot (wing leveler only) was a deluxe option on few RV or homebuilts. Now it is almost standard equipment and altitude hold is becoming more the status quo as well. I wonder sometimes if people plan on actually flying their plane, after stuffing them with so much equipment at many thousands of dollars. Hand flying the RV is fun. Welcome back to the fold. Cheers George