The graphics engine apparently was rebuilt from ground up...at least according to simballer from VC who came by a few times last year. I don't see why he'd make it up (not saying you're implying that!) so I guess I'll take his word for it. I think the stadiums are good evidence of it though.
I would think the animations are a different animal and they admitted that they got virtually zero attention last year.
I do agree that it's odd that many of the same visual issues still occur, however.