The ship Graphics in SE:V are going to be .X files with bitmap textures like those in SE: Star Fury. I think this is a good step and allows zooming etc, of ships, instead of just overheads and portraits. I'm already expanding my ship making skills to include this format...
However, I don't think this development necessarily means that the combat engine will be real-time, but at least the images will be rendered real-time.
I think an option between turn-based or computer controlled real-time combat would be preferential.