Acrea Zest – 2008

Debuted in 2006, the Acrea Zest was the brainchild of Stéphane Solbach and Jean-Pierre Josseaume, two former employees of Matra Automobile. They joined forces to develop a lightweight, simple car that could whisk people away on short adventures away from the city. Acrea advertised the Zest as a plaything, with marketing focused on the driver taking it on gravel paths and seaside vacations.

Officially classified as a quadricycle, drivers in France only needed to have a motorcycle license to operate it. With a chassis made of aluminum and a body made of plastic, the weight comes in at only 837 lbs. The body panels were interchangeable, meaning that you could quickly switch the color of the car, and, by switching out the engine cover, turn it into a pickup. The Zest was continuously developed through the late 2000s with an electric drivetrain debuting in 2008 and a four seater version in 2010.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Acrea
Country of Origin: France
Drivetrain Configuration: Mid engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: Water-cooled, 505cc, 2 cylinder, 20 hp
Transmission: CVT
Top Speed: 68 mph
Years of Production: 2006-2010
Number Produced: Unpublished
Original Cost: €10,500 (~$15,015)