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Specifications for a command tank was issued on 9 January 1931. This model was named Type M. Renault built two prototypes with boiler plate based on the AMR 33 chassis in 1933 already. General Darius Bloch at the head of the technical section of the supreme command, looked at these favourably in his trials report of September 1933. Later in a session of the Conseil Consultatif de l'Armement in January 1934, the same Bloch wanted a dozen for the Cavalry. Their goal was to coordinate platoons of AMR-33/34 in the field to the batallion and divisional HQ. On 10 April 1934, an order was signed for ten "Voitures de reconnaissance tous terrain blindés" to be delivered before 31 December 1934 but it was mentions these were command vehicles. Renault gave them the factory designation Renault YS.

The Renault YS was a completely rebuilt version with little in common with the original tank, apart the suspension and drivetrain. It had indeed a large, fixed superstructure encompassing the whole rear compartment, no turret. The comparment forced the relocation of the engine and transmission forward. The first and second prototypes, upon recommendations, were rebuilt with the AMR 35 suspension. To avoid future changes in requirements, Renault established a contract specifying that the choice of a more robust and heavier AMR 35 chassis would also garner inferior performance with a weightincrease from 3.5 to 4.3 tonnes, top speed down from 60 to 55 km/h, average road speed from 40 to 35 km/h.