Typically when I hear VDI I assume it is a desktop replacement and you are correct with View do not need a 1 to 1 connection from thin client to virtual desktop - so know I understand your requirements -
To save money I would take a look at one of VMware's Acceleration Kits - which provides license for 3 dual CPU hosts and vCenter - I know you looking for 4 hosts but to be honest you can easily support 40 desktop VMs with 3 hosts.
All version of vCenter support VM cloning - I would look at the Standard level of VMware licensing it will give you perhaps the best bang for the dollar -
The only issue I potentially, but I am not sure about this, is that you will be able to connect to multiple VMs from a single thin client -