One generation behind? The GTX295 barely beats it. And it is much more expensive and runs hotter. The 5870 is better in almost every way. I don't know how you can say that.
Driver updates don't makes cards better, they make them less worse. All they do is better utilize the hardware better. You can't improve upon the hardware you have.
If you think the 5870 is one generation behind then you either didn't read the articles or you have a serious conflict of interests.