You want challenge with TI?
Try the good ole US vs USSR in Germany around '83-84: the best you have in US tanks is 105mm '83, that has a hard time penetrating the current top-notch Soviet T-64B/T-72B/T-80B beyond 1000m, while the 125mm 2A46 model 1983 can toast an IPM1 at about 1500-1800m (according to my tests). That's only tank on tank, so hold the TOWs and plenty of arty on the Eastern side.
And when you're done holding off the red hordes, try
assaulting them.
Looks like this is still valid with the v4.5 OOBs.
P.S. ditto on IR-screening smoke, again, feasibility issue...