https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/...adder/4554693/
Unless Evans got it wrong, or Matton is totally lost, apparently R4 may be revoked, giving room for a new 4wd entry class called Rally 3 in FIA's new 'Rally Pyramid':
Rally 3
“The home for the FIA's all-new, low-cost four-wheel drive car. The intention is to make this a current R2 car with a rear differential. Crucial to this new class is the cost of the car, which the FIA says has to be under €100,000 (£90,000). This will offer gentlemen drivers the chance to enjoy four-wheel drive in the WRC, while offering a cost-effective solution to the next generation chasing experience beyond front-wheel drive.”
It's a quite surprising move and besides all the tech and cost doubts it raises one can honestly believe, having in mind it took ages to sort out R4, that Rally 3 won't start any time soon.
Btw, the rest of the future ‘FIA Rally Pyramid’ is mainly a badge swop: Rally 5 will gather current R1 cars; Rally 4 the current R2; Rally 2 the current R5 and R1 will be the class for post-2017 WRC cars.