In the new pix I noticed the battery is in a seperate compartment. While this looks cool, is there a real reason to do this. I mean with out it they could lower the price of the car by ....at least $1.27. and also save about 10 to 12 grams of weight.


seriously, Is there a functionallity to this?

 

IMO, that's a good spot for the battery. Placing it closer to center gives better moment of intertia in handling characteristics. As for the seperate compartment, it keeps the battery cooler extending it's life. Heat from the engine compartment can prematurely lower the batteries life, and it looks so much cleaner hidden away.

 

If you fill the battery, and spill any fluid, I assume that it will not go into the main engine compartment. Also, the separate compartment might keep road dust, etc. off the battery. They can get pretty messy - if the battery "leaks," any leakage will not get out of that separate compartment? The brake fluid reservoir also is covered - for the same reasons, maybe?

 

thanks for the info