...far beyond what the council fathers ever imagined, basing it on ‘scholarly work’ (your phrase) that was often slipshod.  But I will point out that no pope I history ever presumed to make sweeping changes to the Mass.  Paul VI basically thought the pope can do whatever he wants.  There never could have been a V2 without V1.
Unlike you and I, Ratzinger participated in V2.  I find it strange to accuse him of ‘double-talking’ it out of existence.  He did seem capable of admitting that the church makes mistakes, which many hierarchs still cannot.  Benedict’s 2 greatest gifts to the church, IMO, was the statement that the pope CAN’T do whatever he wants (a subtle dig at Paul VI & Pio IX), and his demonstration that a pope can resign, which re-set a precedent that I hope many future pontiffs will follow.
V2 has been over for 50 years. It’s time for more balanced, honest appraisals.  That means recognising not only its merits but its deficiencies.