Well, the thing is why would you want to encourage not playing at max zoom? I mean, you will have the best results by playing at a fairly high zoom level. <.< Only in singleplayer the graphics really matter, in multiplayer people are gonna be way too busy managing their units quickly to respond to the smart human opponent.
Anyhow, given to what I'm used to from the Wargame titles, I figure every vehicle will just explode, leaving a burning husk. That's how it has been so far and I doubt that'll change, not because I do not believe in progress, but because it would be unnecessary effort to make it look better than that.