Leica R digital camera?

Leica will not release an R replacement. The design of the lens mount precludes making accurate auto-focus lenses (according to Leica) - and it's clear that the next Leica 35mm size SLR will need that feature to be competitive. However, I would not rule out the release of an SLR based on a 35mm format sensor and the technology developed for the S2. The new camera would probably have the ability to use R lenses with an adapter.

The R line was discontinued some time ago. The only digital thing there is about is the famous digital back, which probably can be found used. I cannot recall the tecnical specs, but it was a compromise measure that didn't quite deliver. I think it was meant for the R9 only.

You can always buy another dSLR (a Canon or Nikon) and use your Leica glass with adapters. It probably would have to be a high-end body. Of course, you would have to deal with the cropped sensor and no AF, but then, if you shoot with a Leica R you already focus manually.

Best of luck!

the cropped sensor

If you use a full frame body such as a Canon 5D, you can use your R lenses (manual aperture only) quite well. I gave up using R lenses on the 5D mkII after a while as I am a photographer rather than a true equipment fiend. I traded my R glass for good Canon EF equivalents as they work so much quicker than the R lenses via the R-EOS adapters.

The R digital back was/is very good but only 10MP, and not in the same league at high ISOs as Canon and Nikon equivalents. Getting a bit long in the tooth nowadays, but it produced sweet files.

Whatever the "R solution" that we were promised in 2008 or 2009 was supposed to be (not a DSLR as was stated repeatedly), it certainly hasn't materialized to date and I personally no longer care if it ever will as my R lenses have been sold or modified to fit my Nikons. The S2 shows that Leica is certainly capable of producing a DSLR and AF lenses - but most likely they can't produce an FF (35mm) version at a "reasonable" price point.

The CEO stated that Leica cannot afford 2 SLR lines at a conference recently (I cannot remember which one but Google may help - it was where he raised the possibility of a CSC camera). He went on to say that he doubted even Canon or Nikon could sustain two SLR systems and that Leica was happy with the M series (he compared this to a Porsche 911) and the S series.

I meant to add that it will be interesting to see if the Leica CSC will be able to mount R system lenses. I suspect that it will be capable of mounting R and M lenses but this is just a guess. AP speculated that it would cost about GBP 2500 - so probably about $3000 US.
(link)

From an article in the link above:

Kaufmann confirmed that Leica has now ditched plans to launch a digital version of its R-system of SLRs, saying that it would not have made sense commercially in light of the S-system launch in 2009.

Which begs the question why the S-system was developed in the first place then and not a digital R system that in my opinion would have had a much larger customer base. To the best of my knowledge, Leica always stated that a possible "R solution" would not involve a SLR.

Church in Tsingdao, Elmarit R19 on Canon 5D mark II

White Horse temple in Luoyang
Emarit R19 on Canon 5D mark II