I don't see a pattern from the single R series released so far and I don't see a pattern with the soon to be release RP added either. If you see evidence of a change of strategy, please share.
Fair enough, you can't really make a pattern from a single release, but here's my very speculative reasoning:
1. RF and EF-M mounts aren't compatible, make a few leaps of reasoning ( this is a rumors site ) and RF ends up being full frame only , if you want crop use EF-M. the days of EF bodies are numbered.
2. there hasn't been any sign of higher end EF-M bodies that can compete with an 80D. just because you want something small doesn't mean you don't want high end, just ask (the small number of ) olympus users. but for whatever reason canon always equates better with bigger, so there may never be an 80D like EF-M crop body.
3. in the full frame space canon has in the past done cheap ( 6d ) , all around ( 5d iv) , high resolution ( 5d sr ) ,and high speed ( 1d ) .
4. now in RF mount we have cheap ( RP ) , all around ( R ), maybe we'll see a high resolution next and eventually high speed. canon may go into different segmentations with RF vs. EF, who knows, but its not a horrible guess that they keep the segmentation roughly the same.
5. The R is a much less capable camera than the 5Div in terms of usability, and the RP seems much less capable than the 6dii., if you want at least 2 control dials you have to go even more upmarket.
So where does something like the 80D fit in? Maybe they have to do something to take the place of the 7D line . Personally I'd like to see a crop mode on a full frame high resolution weather sealed body that would be great for all nature photography ( I would be willing to pay $2000 for that ). But given their history I think they will release a completely different body for people looking to replace their 7d. But the 80D just seems like it is in no mans land. Maybe it hasn't sold well enough to make it worthwhile, if so then I understand if they drop it, but as a happy 80D user obviously I'm not happy about that.
Its all speculation, you can easily speculate the other way and pick apart these arguments, and canon may change course at any time, but this is just a rumors discussion site and I'm pessimistic. What kind of 80D replacement do you see fitting into their lineup and how will it be priced?