Projet 114 (1958) was intended to be a conventional front-engined rear wheel drive saloon to replace the slow selling Renault Fregate, but this was killed off just a short period before production would begin. Project 115 then commenced, still a 3-box format and rear wheel drive, but Pierre Dreyfus wanted the car to be very advanced and more practical than a standard saloon and yet less utilitarian than an estate car. Gaston Juchet and engineer Prost-Dame came up with hatchback idea and thus created the iconic Renault 16 which was first exhibited at the 1965 Salon de Geneve. The Renault 16 was supposed to have a 6-cylinder 2.2-litre aluminium engine, but in the end 2 cylinders were removed to create a 4-cylinder 1,470cc engine which was also used in the Lotus Type 46 Europa and the Alpine A110. Early versions were sold as 16 L and 16 TL, but in 1968 the Renault 16 TS was launched with 1,565cc 83 bhp engine. The 1,565cc engine in detuned mode was given to the standard cars from 1970 along with minor restyling which included larger rear lamps. The Renault 16 TX was announced in 1973, equipped with a 1,647cc 93bhp engine and 5-speed gearbox along with extra equipment. There was a black plastic grille from 1974, and production gradually decreased until it ceased in 1980 with 1,845,000 built.