if it is the kind of battery I'm thinking of, the caps are designed so you can use a coin to open them (a quarter works well). as for the rear location, that is something I think only German car companies (some Mercedes and BMW models, and rear-engine Porsches with battery in the front is same idea) do to even out the weight distribution in front engine cars, which improves the handling. I wish my cars had rear battery!

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2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car