The digitalization of Soyuz will be more in the class of the change between Soyuz-TM to Soyuz-TMA. This will not create a 4-seat spacecraft.<br /><br />Apart from the digitalization project which has been going on for quite some time now, there are indeed plans for a really new vehicle based on Soyuz. This is what is called ACTS or CSTS - a project currently in a study phase. This project requires a minimum crew capactiy of 4. What the project is basically about is, how to build a Soyuz spacecraft that takes advantage of the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle upgrade program. Soyuz 2-1b already enhanced LEO capacity by nearly 1.2tons. Later upgrades (commonly labelled Soyuz 2-3) will enhace LEO capacity further (design specs say 11tons but could be less). So basically the question is, you have the old Soyuz spacecraft and a launcher that is capable of bringing larger mass to orbit. That means you can enlarge the descend capsule and the orbital module as well as modernize the vehicle. <br /><br />ACTS (CSTS) is not something that I would deem to be a current active project right now. It is in a study phase. And with all studies, it is doomed to get approval at some point, in this case the ESA memberstate conference 2008 and approval of the Russian authorities as well. <br /><br />ACTS is NOT a counterprogram to the VSE. ACTS is just ESA trying to convince its memberstates that it is wiser to invest in a Russian-European manned vehicle and spend money within ESA memberstates than buy seats on Russian manned vehicles. If ESA can convince its memberstates will be partly a matter of funding and a matter on how good France, Germany and Italy (the members running the show at ESA) can negotiate who does what in this program.