Company strategy called for a robust functional vehicle, equally at home in the cities or the countryside, and appealing also to overseas markets in remaining parts of the French empire.

With a weight of 1,640 kg (3,616 lb), which was heavier than a contemporary Chevrolet Bel Air, the Colorale consumed petrol at an alarming rate and achieved its claimed top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) only with difficulty.

The rather unloved Renauld Colorale was quite cheap on the second-hand market when "sexier" new vehicles were offered to the public in the early and mid sixties and it had a sturdy chassis, 4WD transmission, a bullet-proof and "torquey" albeit low powered engine.

Such characteristics prompted Renault dealers and independent repair shops to convert second hand Colorales into "dépanneuses" (Towing trucks).

The towing arrangement generally was some homemade craning device made out of steel H beams (sometimes enven railway tracks)and a Verlinde chain hoist.