I researched the blue tops years ago and it seems we already have them. The MB guys indicate that 2005 forward are blues and prior years brown tops. They also indicate an improved upshift but an equally hard downshift coming to a stop.

It's in the tuning of both the ECU and TCU. A lot happens prior and during the gear change. Going from my data logs: timing is cut drastically, throttle body partially closes, supercharger disengages and then the shift happens. (don't know about the exact order) The sequence that happens before the actual shift is a big part of the lag we feel. You can feel it equally after the shift as timing returns and you get 100% throttle back.