I'm finding it hard to be overly excited about this coaster for a few reasons.
1) I already know almost all of the layout.
In this day and age, it's inevitable. Planning documents are available online for the world to see. It's not anyone's fault really but I miss the times when the first time you knew what a new coaster would look like was when it was being built. Of course, I could just go and live under a rock until it opens but then I'd miss all of the discussion and construction.
2) It's a Gerstlauer.
Nothing against Gerstlauer, they provide decent rides at a relatively low price. They are perfect for smaller parks wanting to break into the big thrills market. If SW7 was being built at Lightwater, I'd be over the moon about it.
However, I don't think their rides are suited to large high capacity parks such as Alton and Thorpe particularly as the new star attraction. I don't know how well Saw does capacity wise, but I can't imagine it gets through the crowds like a B&M.
Also, whilst their rides can be very good, I have never heard of a truly outstanding Gerstlauer coaster. Looking at the layout, I don't think that Nemesis has anything to be worried about in terms of being the park's best coaster and that's a bit boring really. I could be completely wrong of course, Gerstlauer could pull something out of the bag, but I think that's unlikely.
Maybe I'm being a bit of a brand snob but a Eurofighter can't match a new B&M or intamin for excitement. It's a bit like being told you've won a mid-engined supercar only to find out it's an MR2. It's better than nothing but...meh.
On another note, (and at one point I'd never thought I'd say this) but from a coaster enthusiast's point of view I think it's time Alton stopped going after world's firsts. It makes for great marketing but it's getting to the stage where there are less and less new things that you can do with a coaster meaning Alton have to resort to gimmicks. Also, I feel that there has been a case of Alton does it first then others do it better (Shiekra, Tatsu, Verbolten).
I'd just like Alton to build another really good rollercoaster to put it firmly back on the map. Not a prototype or a worlds first, just a world class ride. Alton's had a lot of new coasters since Nemesis but in 18 years none of them have really come close to toppling it.