Hmm, it's hard to tell from that picture if the i3 does have the b-pillar or not.
I wonder why crashworthiness is hard to attain in a car when so many pickups have that suicide opening door to access the rear seat on extended cabs (F-150 and Sierras both have this since about 1998). I guess it could be the height of the vehicle that makes the difference which would mean in a crash your legs might get hit vs your head getting hit. Could also have something to do with full body on frame construction - but the i3 is more body on frame style than a unibody.
It will be interesting too see what happens.
Too bad about the back doors not going into the wheel well arch at all, that will make it a little less friendly for rear seat entry - things like getting a kid in a car seat sure make large rear seat access handy. That's why sliding rear doors are so popular and made the minivans. I've often wondered why cars didn't have sliding rear doors. Especially on a little city car like the BMW i3, then tight parking doesn't make it near as difficult to get in and out. And BMW does seem to be concerned with that - which is why they are touting the front bench seat (and no console) as some great idea which allows you to slide across to get out the other side if necessary.
Thanks for the reply, Tom!
