I can see what you are saying, BUT that's compact bike geometry with a sloping top tube, AND 56cm effective frame length bikes ARE STILL shorter than the 110mm stem that the OP says is on the bike that he is looking at. I don't have any newer bikes with compact geometry, and maybe the style on the newer bikes is to use longer stems now.

Since newer bikes also use head tubes with different angles, and straight forks, may be the trend towards longer stems keeps the steering the same as on older design bikes.

But personally, I think the newer bikes with curving, sloping top tubes are an ugly fashion statement, that isn't going to age well compared to older classic designs with horizontal top tubes.