A lack of excitement about the 18-35 3.5-4.5?

I've pulled up the samples (and they're at D600 resolutions) and looked at them at a 100% - it really isn't good. Not at 18, not at 35 not in the corners, not even in the center. Granted, there aren't any samples that are stopped down to say f/8, but I would certainly expect the center at least to be better. (It seems particularly weak at distance)

Till there is something to suggest that it is any good (and these samples suggest otherwise) there is little reason to get excited about this. Being 'new' or revised alone doesn't make it any good.