They were built at the same time, and for comparison with, as a diesel-electric version, CC 70000.

From 1959, the SNCF had identified a need for high-power mixed-traffic diesel locomotives of around 4,000 hp.

Matériel de Traction Electrique [fr] (MTE), a joint venture between Jeumont-Schneider and Creusot-Loire, began work on a suitable design.

[1] There were two diesel engine prime movers and each drove one bogie through a hydraulic transmission.

A 500 hp hydraulic retarder was also considered, although not initially installed, and this would be used for long descents.