Renault had introduced the rear-engined Renault Dauphine in 1956. However, a front wheel drive Renault 4 had been introduced in 1961, and the motoring world were somewhat surprised when Renault decided to replace the flagging Dauphine with a rear-engined car. Nevertheless, the Renault R8 was launched in June 1962 with a roomy, if boxy body, designed by Philippe Charbonneaux. It is said to have shared some styling with the stillborn Alfa Romeo Project 103 (Renault 113) which was being developed as a collaborative venture between Renault and Alfa Romeo (The Italian company was making Renault Dauphines and Renault 4s under licence at this time). It was given a new Cleon 956cc rear-mounted engine and disc brakes on all four wheels. Production of the Renault 8 ended in 1973 in France, but continued in Spain until 1976, Romania and Bulgaria also Built Renault 8s.