Now that you mention it, I can see the chains hanging down from around the edge of the turret. As stated I'm not really aware of what makes a good tank, so I'll defer to you about it.
The rest seem to be common sense ideas. But isn't that the case in just about any technology or advance in design? As soon as somebody does it, the rest collectively slap a forehead and say "Wow, why didn't *I* think of that?!?
Note that the turret is farther back on the Mercava and forward on the Abrams, that is because of engine placement.
I am not that good on tanks, I just got to listen to an IDF guy rather highly placed discuss them once. I have never been a ground pounder...