Bob -
The white consoles, Sears called them "color coordinated consoles", debuted in 1994 models in a few select machines, mostly 80 series and above. I think there was one 70 - I've been studying the brochure since this thread started...but I think all the 80s and above were considered "Ultra Fabric Care" machines and they could very well have yet different cycle tweaks from the original 1992 tweakage.
Anyway, I have noticed on many Craigslist sale machiness, and even when they were new on the sales floor, that the '94s had different timer arrangements in many cases, in fact the Ultra Care speed control switches became common that year and they had new timers to go with.
In the '92 models, many machines had the inch-long dead spot where the second rinse was deactivated after the heavy duty cycle. I dare say more machines used that timer with that rinse dead then there were machines that actually made use of it. This seemed to stop in '94 as those models have less cluttered timers in the "down line" models and the Ultra Care timer in the upper end. Only one or two models continued with the 92's timer. It is very possible that all the new timers had that speed shift like you are talking about, especially in the Ultra models.
The woodgrain panels finally went away in 1994, in favor of the all black panels with the white and red script lettering, or the color coordinated console. I always liked the jett-black panel, in fact I'm liking it more and more - maybe when I see one on Craigslist that is affordable and in nice shape, it would be worth some experimentation, then donate it to a needy family when done?
Gordon