Abstract:
This vehicle has a travel drive system including a travel power source and an energy source for this travel power source, wherein an outlet for discharging waste generated by the travel drive system faces the rear surface of the vehicle body. The outlet is offset in the vehicle width direction relative to a passenger opening. Further, relative to the center line between the center line of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction and the end portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, the outlet is positioned to the end portion side of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction. Relative to the center line between said center line and the end portion in the vehicle width direction, the right and left edges of the passenger opening are positioned to the side of the center line of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to vehicles having an entrance/exit opening (or getting-in/getting-out opening) formed in the rear surface of the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Vehicles have been known which have a rear opening formed in the rear surface of the vehicle and a tailgate capable of opening and closing the rear opening. The tailgate is pivotably mounted on the vehicle body. An example of such vehicles is disclosed in Patent Literature 1. 
         [0003]    The vehicle disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes: the rear opening formed in the rear surface; the tailgate pivotable in a vertical or up-down direction to open and close the rear opening; and an auxiliary opening formed in the tailgate; and two auxiliary doors for closing and opening the auxiliary opening. 
         [0004]    The two auxiliary doors are supported by the tailgate via a link mechanism and are openable away from each other by pivoting outwardly from a widthwise center of the vehicle. 
         [0005]    It is conceivable to apply such an auxiliary-door equipped tailgate to a vehicle of a large vehicle height. In such a case, a passenger can get in or out of the vehicle by opening the auxiliary doors, and it is preferable to allow a passenger to get in and out of the vehicle with an increased ease, i.e. provide the passenger with a high ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. 
       PRIOR ART LITERATURE 
       [0006]    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2514650. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0007]    It is therefore an object to provide an improved vehicle which provides a high ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    According to the present invention, there is provided an improved vehicle having an exhaust port exposed rearward from the rear surface of the vehicle for emitting discharge produced by a travel drive system of the vehicle, the rear surface having an entrance/exit opening formed therein to extend over a portion of the rear surface in a vehicle width direction, a remaining rear surface portion being formed in another portion of the rear surface than the entrance/exit opening, the exhaust port being offset from the entrance/exit opening in the vehicle width direction and located only at a position overlapping the remaining rear surface portion. 
         [0009]    Preferably, in the vehicle of the present invention, left and right side edges of the entrance/exit opening are offset in the vehicle width direction from a widthwise centerline of the vehicle body. 
         [0010]    Preferably, in the vehicle of the present invention, the exhaust port is located closer to a widthwise end of the vehicle body than a centerline between a widthwise centerline of the vehicle body and the widthwise end of the vehicle body, and left and right side edges of the entrance/exit opening are located closer to the widthwise centerline of the vehicle body than the centerline between the widthwise centerline of the vehicle body and the widthwise end of the vehicle body. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the vehicle of the present invention includes a door capable of opening and closing the entrance/exit opening, and one of left and right side edges of the entrance/exit opening that is remote from the exhaust port is an opening start end that starts to be opened by the door. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the vehicle of the present invention includes an outer handle for opening and closing the door, the outer handle being provided on the outer surface of the door near the side edge that is the opening start end. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the vehicle of the present invention includes a door capable of opening and closing the entrance/exit opening, a door latch for maintaining the door in a closed position being provided on the door, a canceling operation means capable canceling latching by the door latch being provided on the inner surface of the door. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the vehicle of the present invention has a rear opening formed in the rear surface to extend over a substantially entire range, in the vehicle width direction, of the rear surface, a tailgate openably and closably covering the rear opening being supported on the vehicle body the entrance/exit opening being formed in the tailgate. 
         [0015]    Preferably, in the vehicle of the present invention, an opening operation means capable of opening the tailgate is provided only on the outer surface of the tailgate. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0016]    In the present invention, the exhaust port is offset from the entrance/exit opening in the vehicle width direction. Thus, a passenger can get in or get out of the vehicle while appropriately avoiding the exhaust port, i.e. avoiding discharge, such as exhaust gas and water. Therefore, the vehicle of the present invention can be said to be a vehicle providing a high ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. 
         [0017]    Further, in the present invention, the left and right side edges of the entrance/exit opening are offset in the vehicle width direction from the widthwise centerline of the vehicle body. Normally a driver&#39;s seat is provided at a position offset from the widthwise centerline of the vehicle body, and thus, a widthwise center region of the vehicle is a region which can be seen or visually checked by a human driver of the vehicle with ease. By forming the entrance/exit opening while avoiding such a region, the drive can get a high visibility. 
         [0018]    Further, in the present invention, the left and right side edges of the entrance/exit opening and the exhaust port are disposed in such a manner as to sandwich therebetween the centerline between the widthwise centerline of the vehicle body and the widthwise end of the vehicle body. Thus, the entrance/exit opening and the exhaust port can be spaced from each other by a sufficient distance, so that the exhaust port can be located at a sufficient distance from a passenger getting in or out of the vehicle. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, in the present invention, one of the left and right side edges of the entrance/exit opening that is remote from the exhaust port is an opening start end that starts to be opened by the door. Because the door is opened from the side edge remote from the exhaust port, a passenger can get in or out of the vehicle while more reliably avoiding discharge, such as exhaust gas and water, emitted from the exhaust port. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, in the present invention, the outer handle for opening and closing the door is provided on the outer surface of the door near the side edge that is the opening start end. Because the outer handle is located adjacent to the opening start end, a passenger can get in or out of the vehicle without approaching the exhaust port in opening the door from outside the vehicle. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, in the present invention, the canceling operation means capable canceling latching by the door latch is provided on the inner surface of the door. Thus, a passenger can get out of the vehicle through the rear opening by operating the door latch from inside the vehicle. At that time, the passenger can get out of the vehicle while avoiding the exhaust port, without taking the trouble of checking the position of the exhaust port. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, in the present invention, the rear opening is formed in the rear surface to extend over a substantially entire range, in the vehicle width direction, of the rear surface, and the tailgate openably and closably covering the rear opening is supported on the vehicle body. When large-size baggage is to be loaded into the vehicle, the tailgate is pivoted upward. Because the rear opening opens over the entire rear surface of the vehicle body, the large-size baggage can be loaded into the vehicle with ease. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, in the present invention, the opening operation means capable of opening the tailgate is provided only on the outer surface of the tailgate, so that a passenger can be prevented from mistakenly opening, from inside the vehicle, the tailgate mounted over a substantially entire range in the vehicle width direction. Because the tailgate is prevented from being opened from inside the vehicle, it is possible to prevent a passenger from getting out of the vehicle onto a position near the exhaust port. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a partially cut-away top plan view illustrating a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 : 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a view explanatory of operation of the vehicle when a tailgate is in an opened position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a view explanatory of operation of the vehicle when a door shown in  FIG. 1  is in an opened position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a view explanatory in greater detail of the operation explained in relation to  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a view explanatory of operation of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1  during travel of the vehicle; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a view explanatory of operation of a room mirror during travel of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a view explanatory of operation of the vehicle shown in  FIG. 1  during parking of the vehicle; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a view explanatory of details of the door shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a view explanatory of operation when elongated baggage is to be loaded into the vehicle with the door opened; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a view explanatory of operation when the door shown in  FIG. 1  is to be opened; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a rear view of a second embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a rear view of a third embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a rear view of a fourth embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is a rear view of a fifth embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    In the following description, the terms “left” and “right are used to refer to directions as viewed from an occupant or passenger of a vehicle, and the terms “front” and “rear” are used to refer to directions as viewed in a traveling direction of the vehicle. In the accompanying drawings, “Fr”, “Rr”, “R”, “L”, “Up” and “Dw” represent “front”, “rear”, “right”, “left”, “up” and “down”, respectively. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0045]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle  10  that is, for example, a right-handle-drive wagon. Three rows of seats are provided in a passenger compartment  25  in a front-to-rear direction of a vehicle body  11 . An engine Eg as a travel drive source is mounted in an engine room Er that is in turn disposed in front of the passenger compartment  25 . As will be detailed later, the travel drive source constitutes a part of a travel drive system. 
         [0046]    More specifically a driver seat  12  and a front passenger seat  13  are provided as the first row of seats in the passenger compartment  25 . The driver seat  12  and the front passenger seat  13  are provided separately on opposite sides, or in such a manner as to sandwich therebetween, of a centerline C 1  extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction centrally across the width of the vehicle. Namely, the driver seat  12  and the front passenger seat  13  are disposed offset relative to the centerline C 1 . In the right-handle-drive vehicle, the driver seat  12  is disposed to the right of the centerline C 1 , while the passenger seat  13  is disposed to the left of the centerline C 1 . 
         [0047]    Each of the second row of seats  14  and the third row of seats  15  extends in a vehicle width direction and is capable of seating three passengers. The second row of seats  14  comprises a wide main seat  21  capable of seating two persons, and a sub seat  22  smaller in width than the main seat  21  and capable of seating only one person. Likewise, the third row of seats  15  comprises a wide main seat  23  capable of seating two persons, and a sub seat  24  smaller in width than the main seat  23  and capable of seating only one person. 
         [0048]    The sub seat  22  of the second row and the sub seat  24  of the third row are each bendable or collapsible toward a left end portion of the vehicle body  11 . A mechanism by which the sub seats  22  and  24  are bent may be any one of the well-known mechanisms. A state of the sub seat  24  deployed to allow a person or passenger to be seated in the seat  24  will be referred to as “deployed state”, while a state of the sub seat  24  collapsed so that a passenger is allowed to pass along a side of the main seat  23  will be referred to as “retracted state”. 
         [0049]    Hereinafter, the main seat  21  of the second row will be referred to as “front-side seat  21 ”, the sub seat  22  of the second row will be referred to as “front-side sub seat  22 ”, and the main seat  23  of the third row will be referred to as “seat  23 ”. 
         [0050]    A trunk or baggage room  16  for storing baggage is formed behind the third row of seats  15 . A tailgate  40  is pivotably mounted for permitting loading and unloading of baggage to and from the baggage room  16 . The baggage room  16  constitutes a part of the passenger compartment  25 . 
         [0051]    A rearview mirror  18  for the vehicle occupant or driver Mn to check an area behind the vehicle is mounted on the centerline C 1  of a front window  17 . Side mirrors  19  for the driver to check areas behind and to the right and left of the vehicle are mounted on left and right end portions of a front section of the vehicle body  11 . 
         [0052]    Now, the vehicle  10  will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a rear opening  30  is formed in the rear surface of the vehicle  10  to extend over substantially entire ranges both in the vehicle width direction and in a vertical or up-down direction. The tailgate  40  is mounted so that the rear opening  30  can be opened and closed by the tailgate  40 . When the rear opening  30  is closed by the tailgate  40 , the tailgate  40  constitutes a part of the rear surface of the vehicle  10 . An entrance/exit opening  50  is formed in the tailgate  40  to extend over a substantially entire vertical length of the tailgate  40  and extend over a part of the width of the tailgate  40 . The entrance/exit opening  50  is an opening formed for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. A door  60  is mounted on the entrance/exit opening  50  in such a manner that the entrance/exit opening  50  can be opened and closed by the door  60 . 
         [0054]    An exhaust port  26  is exposed from the rear surface of the vehicle  10 . The exhaust port  26  is a distal end portion of an exhaust system that functions to emit exhaust gas (discharge), produced in the engine (depicted at Eg in FIG.  1 ) to outside the vehicle. The exhaust port  26  is offset from the entrance/exit opening  50  toward the driver seat. In other words, the exhaust port  26  is located closer to the right end of the vehicle body  11  than a centerline C 4  between the centerline C 2 , in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body  11  (widthwise centerline C 2 ) and the right end of the vehicle body  11 . 
         [0055]    The rear opening  30 , which is formed in the rear surface of the vehicle  10  has a generally rectangular shape (or generally square shape), has: an upper edge  30   a  formed near a roof  27  of the vehicle body  11  to extend in the vehicle width direction; left and right side edges  30   b  and  30   c  extending downward from the opposite ends of the upper edge  30   a  (“b” is a suffix representing the right side edge and “c” is a suffix representing the left side edge); and a lower edge  30   d  interconnecting the respective lower ends of the left and right side edges  30   b  and  30   c.    
         [0056]    The tailgate  40  is vertically pivotably mounted on a first opening/closing shaft  28  provided on an upper end portion of the vehicle body  11  and extending horizontally. A tailgate knob  41  (opening operation means  41 ) capable of operating the tailgate  40  is provided on the outer surface of the tailgate  40 . A person can pivot the tailgate  40  in the vertical direction by holding the tailgate knob  41 . The tailgate  40  can be maintained in a closed position by means of a latch device. Latching by the latch device can be canceled by the operation of the tailgate knob  41 . 
         [0057]    The tailgate knob  41  is provided only on the outer surface of the tailgate  40 ; that is, no such tailgate knob  41  is provided on the inner surface of the tailgate  40 . This is for the purpose of preventing a passenger from mistakenly opening, from inside the passenger compartment, the tailgate  40  mounted over a substantially entire width of the vehicle. A door lock striker  42  for maintaining the door  60  in a closed position is mounted on a left end portion of the tailgate  40 . 
         [0058]    A pillar  43  is provided near the entrance/exit opening  50 , formed in the tailgate  40 , and extends over a substantially entire length in the vertical direction or up-down direction of the tailgate  40 . The pillar  43  is formed integrally with the tailgate  40 , so that it is possible to achieve an increased rigidity against external force that may be input from behind the vehicle  10 . 
         [0059]    Because the entrance/exit opening  50  is formed over a substantially entire length in the vertical direction, the tailgate  40  has a small strength as compared to a case where no entrance/exit opening  50  is provided in the tailgate  40 . Because of the small strength of the tailgate  40 , elastic deformation may occur in a peripheral edge portion of the entrance/exit opening  50  due to vibration force input from a road surface during travel of the vehicle. To cope with the vibration force, the pillar  43  in the embodiment is provided along a vertical side edge of the entrance/exit opening  50 . With the pillar  43  provided along the side edge of the entrance/exit opening  50  over the substantially entire vertical length as above, it is possible to increase the strength of the tailgate  40  and minimize occurrence of elastic deformation. 
         [0060]    Further, a tailgate window section  44  that is an opening for passengers to visually check, from within the passenger compartment, areas outside the vehicle is formed in an upper portion of the tailgate  40 . The tailgate window section  44  is covered with a tailgate window panel  45  formed of glass. The tailgate window panel  45  not only covers the tailgate window section  44  but also covers a surface of the pillar  43  facing the outside of the vehicle. 
         [0061]    A remaining rear surface portion  40   b  is formed on a portion of the rear surface of the tailgate  40  other than a vehicle body rear portion  11   c  forming a rear surface peripheral edge portion and other than the entrance/exit opening  50 . The exhaust port  26  is offset in the vehicle width direction from the entrance/exit opening  50  and located only at a position vertically overlapping the remaining rear surface portion  40   b . In the vehicle  10  where the tailgate  40  is provided along the entire inner periphery of the vehicle body rear portion  11   c , the remaining rear surface portion  40   b  can be said to be a portion of the tailgate other than the entrance/exit opening  50 . 
         [0062]    Further, the entrance/exit opening  50 , which has a substantially rectangular shape, has: an upper edge  50   a  extending along the upper edge  30   a  of the rear opening  30 ; a side edge  50   b  extending downward from one end of the upper edge  50   a  along the pillar  43 ; a side edge  50   c  extending downward from the other end of the upper edge  50   a  along the side edge  30   c  of the rear opening  30 ; and a lower edge  50   c  interconnecting the respective lower ends of the side edges  50   b  and  50   c.    
         [0063]    The centerline C 2  extending in the vertical or up-down direction centrally across the width of the vehicle (widthwise centerline C 2  of the vehicle body), is sandwiched between the side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50 . Namely, the side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  are offset from the widthwise center of the vehicle. The entrance/exit opening  50  formed in the tailgate  40  has a width (i.e., dimension in the vehicle width direction) that is of course smaller than a width of the rear opening  30 . The centerline C 2  extending in the vertical direction perpendicularly intersects the above-mentioned first opening/closing shaft  28 . The side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  are located closer to the centerline C 2  extending centrally across the width of the vehicle than the centerline C 4  between the centerline C 2  and the right end of the vehicle body  11 . 
         [0064]    A centerline C 3  extending centrally across the width of the entrance/exit opening  50  is offset leftward from the widthwise centerline C 2  of the vehicle body extending in the vertical direction. Namely the widthwise centerline C 3  of the entrance/exit opening  50  is offset from the centerline C 2 , extending in the vertical direction centrally across the width of the vehicle (widthwise centerline of the vehicle body  11 ), toward the front passenger seat. 
         [0065]    The door  60  is a horizontally-openable door supported by the pillar  43  via two hinges  80 . A shaft  47  extending in the vertical direction centrally through the two hinges  80  will hereinafter be referred to as “second opening/closing shaft  47 ”. The door  60  is pivotable about the second opening/closing shaft  47  in the horizontal and front-rear directions of the vehicle body  11 . 
         [0066]    A door latch  61  is mounted on a left end portion of the door  60 . The door latch  61  can engage the striker  42  to maintain the door  60  in the closed position. The door latch  61  can disengage the striker  42  in response to an operation of an outer handle  62  pivotably mounted on the outer surface of the door  60  or an inner handle  63  (canceling operation means  63 ) pivotably mounted on the inner surface of the door  60 . The striker  42 , the door latch  61 , the outer handle  62  and the inner handle  63  may each be of a well-known construction. 
         [0067]    A human operator can cancel a locked state of the door  60  by pivoting the outer handle  62  or the inner handle  63  and thereby pivot the door  60 . The door  60  pivots in a direction from the left side edge  50   c  (located adjacent to the main passenger seat) of the entrance/exit opening  50  toward the widthwise center. Namely, the left side edge  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  is an opening start end that starts to be opened by the door  60 . 
         [0068]    The outer handle  62  and the inner handle  63  are both provided adjacent to the opening start end that starts to be opened by the door  60  and overlap each other with respect to the vehicle width direction. The operation for opening the door  60  can be performed at a position near the opening start end irrespective of which the door  60  is opened from inside the vehicle or from outside the vehicle, and thus, an enhanced operability is achievable. The inner handle  63  is mounted at a higher position than the outer handle  62 . 
         [0069]    A door window section  64  for the passengers to check, from within the passenger compartment, areas outside the vehicle, is formed in an upper portion of the door  60  in succession with the tailgate window section  44 . The door window section  64  is covered with a door window panel  65  formed of glass. 
         [0070]    The tailgate window section  44  and the door window section  64  have the same height dimension (i.e., same length in the vertical or up-down direction) but also are located at the same position in the up-down direction. Thus, the tailgate window section  44  and the door window section  64  extend successively in the vehicle width direction. The tailgate window section  44  and the door window section  64  will hereinafter be referred to collectively as “window section  70 ”. Such a window section  70  is formed along a substantially entire width of the vehicle. Needless to say, the window section  70  is formed at least in a central portion of the width of the vehicle. The pillar  43  is formed between the side edge  50   b  of the entrance/exit opening  50  located near the tailgate window section  44  and the tailgate window section  44  and extends continuously over the entire vertical length of the tailgate  40 . 
         [0071]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 3 , the entrance/exit opening  50  opens over a range more than half the width of the tailgate  40 . More specifically, a ratio of a width W 2  of the entrance/exit opening  50  to the width W 1  of the tailgate  40  is 0.7:1, i.e. W 2 =0.7×W 1 . 
         [0072]    By securing the width of the entrance/exit opening  50  greater than half the width of the rear opening  30 , it is possible to secure a space sufficient for baggage loading/unloading and a sufficient space for person&#39;s getting-in/out of the vehicle. By limiting an amount of rearward projection of the door  60 , it is possible to prevent any installed objects from interfering with the door  60 . 
         [0073]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 4 , if a plane extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction while passing through the centerline C 2  extending in the vertical direction centrally across the widthwise center of the tailgate  40  is referred to as “central plane CP”, the window section  70  is formed in a position overlapping the central plane CP. 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the side edge  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  extending along one widthwise end of the vehicle is located opposite the driver seat  12  with respect to the centerline C 1  extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction and the widthwise centerline C 2  extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The side edge  50   b  of the entrance/exit opening  50  closer to the widthwise center, on the other hand, is located on the same side as the driver seat  12  with respect to the centerline C 1  extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction and the widthwise centerline C 2  extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. 
         [0075]    As viewed from the rear of the vehicle body  11 , the pillar  43  and the second opening/closing shaft  47  are provided at positions overlapping the driver seat  12 . The second opening/closing shaft  47  extends alongside the side edge  50   b  of the entrance/exit opening  50 . The side edge  50   b  of the entrance/exit opening  50  can be said to be a driver seat-side side edge. 
         [0076]    Note that examples of the discharge emitted via the exhaust port  26  include water as well as exhaust gas. In fuel cell vehicles, water produced in a fuel cell stack is emitted to the outside via the exhaust port  26 . Namely the travel drive source system includes a fuel cell stack as an energy source for activating a motor. In the present invention, the travel drive source system includes a travel drive source and this energy source. 
         [0077]    The door window panel  65  may be formed of any other material than glass, such as resin, as long as it is a transparent panel. The door window panel  65  will hereinafter be referred to as “door window glass  65 ” as appropriate. 
         [0078]    Referring now back to  FIG. 1 , the seat  23  is located adjacent to the rear surface of the vehicle  10 , and the right end of the seat  23  is located proximate the right end of the vehicle body  11 . Namely, one end  23   a , in the vehicle width direction, of the seat  23  is located proximate to one end  11   a , in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle body  11  and overlaps the remaining rear surface portion ( 40   b  in  FIG. 2 ). The other end  23   b , in the vehicle width direction, of the seat  23 , on the other hand, overlaps the entrance/exit opening  50  in the vehicle width direction and is located closer to the one end  11   a  of the vehicle body  11  than the widthwise centerline C 3  of the entrance/exit opening  50 . 
         [0079]    Two headrests  29  are provided on an upper portion of the seat  23 , and one of the headrests  29  that is located on the widthwise centerline C 1  extending in the front-rear direction centrally across the width of the vehicle overlaps the entrance/exit opening  50  in the front-rear direction. 
         [0080]    The sub seat  24  disposed in succession with the seat  23  extends from the other end  23   b , in the vehicle width direction, of the seat  23  toward the other end  11   b , in the vehicle width direction, of the vehicle body  11 . 
         [0081]    The outer handle  62  is disposed at a position away from the seat  23  as viewed in the vehicle width direction. As shown also in  FIG. 4 , the inner handle  63  overlapping the outer handle  62  in the vehicle width direction is also mounted at a position away from the seat  23 . 
         [0082]    The following describe, with reference to  FIG. 5 , a structure for mounting the door  60  in the embodiment. 
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the door  60  is supported by the pillar  43  of a closed section via the hinges  80 . On the pillar  43  are mounted a seal member  85  for sealing between the door  60  and the interior of the passenger compartment and the hinges  80 . The closed section of the pillar  43  can increase rigidity of the pillar  43 . 
         [0084]    Each of the hinges  80  has a generally L shape and includes: a bottom section  81  fixed to the pillar  43 ; an arm section  82  extending from the bottom section  81  toward the rear of the vehicle body; a pin  83  mounted on a distal end portion of the arm section  82  for pivotably supporting the door  60 ; and a reinforcement section  84  extending between the bottom section  81  and the arm section  82  to reinforce the bottom section  81  and the arm section  82 . A mounted member  67  is fastened to the door  60  and has the pin  83  passed therethrough. 
         [0085]    The door  60  is mounted on the tailgate  40  via the hinges  80  in such a manner that it is pivotable in the vehicle body front-rear direction. Because the door  60  is pivotably supported via the hinges  80 , the supporting structure for the door  60  can be simplified. 
         [0086]    In addition, because the door  60  is supported by the pillar  43  via the hinges  80 , supported rigidity of the door  60  can be increased. 
         [0087]    The following describe, with reference to  FIG. 6 , details of the tailgate window glass  45  and the door window glass  65 . 
         [0088]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , respective one edges  45   a  and  65   a  of the tailgate window glass  45  and the door window glass  65  are directly opposed to each other, so that, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle  10 , the tailgate window glass  45  and the door window glass  65  can be seen as an integral glass and thus aesthetic quality of the vehicle can be enhanced. 
         [0089]    In addition, the respective one edges  45   a  and  65   a  of the tailgate window glass  45  and the door window glass  65  each have an arcuate sectional shape. The door window glass  65  pivots together with the door  60 . The arcuate sectional shape of each of the edges  45   a  and  65   a  can prevent the edges  45   a  and  65   a  from interfering with each other as the door window glass  65  pivots. Because interference between the edges  45   a  and  65   a  can be prevented as above, the respective one edges  45   a  and  65   a  of the tailgate window glass  45  and the door window glass  65  can be placed even closer to each other, so that the aesthetic quality of the vehicle can be further enhanced. 
         [0090]    Now, operation of the vehicle  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0091]    When large-size baggage BC is to be loaded into the vehicle  10 , the tailgate  40  is pivoted upward as shown in  FIG. 7 . Because the rear opening  30  opens over the entire rear surface of the vehicle  10 , the large-size baggage can be loaded into the vehicle  10  with ease. 
         [0092]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the rear opening  30  opens over a generally entire range in the height direction of the rear surface of the vehicle  10 , and the entrance/exit opening  50  opens over a generally entire range in the height direction of the tailgate  40 . A person can get in or get out of the vehicle through a rear portion of the vehicle  10  using the entrance/exit opening  50 . 
         [0093]    Particularly, the inner handle  63  capable of unlatching (canceling the latching by) the door latch  61  is provided on the inner surface of the door  63 . Thus, the door  60  can be opened and closed by operations performed from the interior of the vehicle, and a passenger can get out of the vehicle through the rear section of the vehicle. Namely, because passengers can get in and out of the vehicle through the rear section of the vehicle, the ease of getting in/out of the vehicle can be enhanced. 
         [0094]    In addition, when small-size baggage SC is to be loaded into the vehicle  10 , the door  60  is pivoted in the horizontal direction. At that time, the door  60  starts to open from the side edge  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50 . Because the door  60  is a part of the tailgate  40  and thus lighter in weight than the tailgate  40 , opening and closing operations of the door  60  can be performed with ease, so that enhanced operability of the door  60  is achievable. 
         [0095]    With reference to the aforementioned figures and  FIG. 3  as well, the following can be said. 
         [0096]    The entrance/exit opening  50  opens over the entire range in a substantially left half of the tailgate  40 . Loading/unloading small baggage SC with the door  60  in the opened position is performed through the entrance/exit opening  50 , and the hinges  80  for supporting the door  60  are provided on portions of the tailgate  40  where the entrance/exit opening  50  is not formed. With the entrance/exit opening  50  formed in the entire range of the substantially left half of the tailgate  40  as above, it is possible to secure a sufficient space for mounting the door-supporting hinges  80  while simultaneously securing a necessary area of the opening for loading/unloading of small baggage SC. The vehicle  10  having such an entrance/exit opening  50  can attain advantageous benefits set forth below with reference to the following figures. 
         [0097]    As shown in  FIG. 9( a ) , the exhaust port  26  is offset, in the vehicle width direction, from the entrance/exit opening  50 . Thus, a passenger can get in or get out of the vehicle while appropriately avoiding the exhaust port  26 , i.e. avoiding discharge, such as exhaust gas and water. Therefore, the vehicle  10  can be said to be a vehicle providing has an improved ease with which passengers can get in and get out of the vehicle, i.e. an improved ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. 
         [0098]    Further, the widthwise centerline C 3  of the entrance/exit opening  50  and the exhaust port  26  are disposed in such a manner as to sandwich therebetween the widthwise centerline C 2  of the vehicle body  11 . In this manner, the entrance/exit opening  50  and the exhaust port  26  can be spaced from each other by a sufficient distance, and thus, the exhaust port  26  can be located at a sufficient distance from a passenger getting in or out of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0099]    In addition, of the left and right side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50 , the left side edge  50   c  adjacent to the other end  11   b  of the vehicle body  11  is the opening start end that starts to be opened by the door  60 . Namely, the door  26  starts to open from the side edge  50   c  remote from the seat  23 . Thus, even when an opened amount of the door  60  is small, a passenger can readily get in or out of the vehicle  10  through the door  60 . Conversely, if the opening start end is the side edge  50   b  closer to the seat  23 , it is necessary to open the door  60  to a greater opened amount such that the seat  23  does not hinder a passenger from getting in or out of the vehicle  10 . Therefore, the aforementioned construction where the door  26  starts to open from the side edge  50   c  remote from the seat  23  can secure a high ease of getting in and out of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0100]    Further, the side edge  50   c  can also be said to be a side edge of the left and right side edges  50   b  and  50   c  that is remote from the exhaust port  26 . Because the door  60  is opened from the side edge  50   c  remote from the exhaust port  26 , a passenger can get in or out of the vehicle while more reliably avoiding discharge, such as exhaust gas and water. 
         [0101]    Referring to the above-mentioned figures and  FIG. 1  as well, the outer handle  62  for opening and closing the door  60  is mounted near the side edge  50   c  functioning as the opening start end. Because the outer handle  62  is located adjacent to the opening start end, a passenger can get in or out of the vehicle  10 , without approaching the exhaust port  26  when opening the door  60  from outside the vehicle  10 . 
         [0102]    In addition, the inner handle  63  is provided at such a position as to avoid (i.e., as to not overlap) the seat  23  when the door  60  is in the closed position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the seat  23  from interfering with the locked-state canceling operation of the inner handle  63 . 
         [0103]    Further, the inner handle  63  is provided to be located closer to the other end  11   b  of the vehicle body  11   b  than the widthwise centerline C 3  of the entrance/exit opening  50  when the door  60  is in the closed position. Because the inner handle  63  is provided adjacent to the opening start end of the door  60 , a human operator or passenger operating the inner handle  63  is located adjacent to the opening start end, so that getting in and out of the vehicle  10  can be done with an increased smoothness. 
         [0104]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 9( b ) , the sub seat  24  located alongside the seat  23  is constructed to be displaceable so that a passenger can pass along a side of the seat  23 . With such a construction, a passenger having got in the vehicle can be readily seated, although the vehicle  10  is of the type allowing a passenger to get in or out of the vehicle through the rear portion of the vehicle body  11 ; thus, the vehicle  10  allows many passengers to get in the vehicle  10 . 
         [0105]    In addition, the other end  23   b , in the vehicle width direction, of the seat  23  is located at a position overlapping the entrance/exit opening  50  in the vehicle width direction. Thus, a passenger can get in or out of the vehicle  10  while holding the seat  23  as necessary. In this manner, the vehicle  10  can provide a high ease of getting in and out of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0106]    Further, one of the headrests  29  is located centrally in the vehicle width direction. Thus, a tall passenger can get in the vehicle  10  while holding the headrest  29  as necessary, which is very convenient. 
         [0107]    It is preferable that the seat  23  be disposed at a short distance from the entrance/exit opening  50  such that a passenger can hold the seat  23  when getting in the vehicle. 
         [0108]    Particularly it is desirable that the sub seat  24  is collapsible toward the other end  11   b  of the vehicle  11  so that a passenger getting in or out of the vehicle can hold the collapsed sub seat  24 . Such a construction can even further enhance the ease of getting in/out of the vehicle. As an example, the sub seat  24  may be collapsed by means of a so-called lip-up mechanism. 
         [0109]    Further, the headrest  29  is disposed to overlap the entrance/exit opening  50 . By providing a part, capable of being held by a passenger getting in or out of the vehicle, additionally at a higher position too, it is possible to enhance the ease of getting in/out of the vehicle for a tall passenger and hence enhance the ease of getting in/out of the vehicle for more passengers. 
         [0110]    In addition, the front-side seat  21  is provided forward of the seat  23 , but also the front-side sub seat  22  is provided forward of the sub seat  24 . The front-side sub seat  22  is displaceable so that a passenger can pass along a side of the front-side seat  21 . With such a construction, any passenger to be seated in another seat than the seat  23  can get in or out of the vehicle through the entrance/exit opening  50 . Thus, more passengers can get in and out of the vehicle through the entrance/exit opening  50 . 
         [0111]    Further, by displacing (retracting or collapsing) both of the sub seat  24  and the front-side sub seat  22 , it is possible to load long baggage LC, such as a surfboard, through the entrance/exit opening  50 . 
         [0112]    Referring to the above-mentioned figures and  FIG. 1  as well, the seat  23  has a greater width (seat width) than the sub seat  24 . Thus, many passengers can be seated without the sub seat  24  being deployed. If all passengers can be seated in the seat  23 , there is no need to deploy the sub seat  24  from the retracted position. Namely, by forming the seat  23  to a large seat width, it is possible to increase the number of passengers who can be seated in the seat  23  and eliminate the need for deploying the sub seat  24 . 
         [0113]    Furthermore, the other end  23   b , in the vehicle width direction, of the seat  23  is located closer to the one end  11   a  of the vehicle body  11  than the widthwise centerline C 3  of the entrance/exit opening  50 . Namely, a length over which the seat  23  overlaps the entrance/exit opening  50  is less than half the width of the entrance/exit opening  50 . By thus reducing the range over which the seat  23  overlaps the entrance/exit opening  50 , it is possible to secure a wide passage for passengers in the passenger compartment, and thus, the ease of getting in/out of the vehicle can be even further enhanced. In addition, the seat  23  and the inner handle  63  can be spaced from each other by a sufficient distance, and thus, it is possible to even more reliably prevent the seat  23  from interfering with the inner handle  63  during the operation of the inner handle  63 . 
         [0114]    Now, with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a description will be given about operation of the vehicle  10  during travel. 
         [0115]    In a case where a pillar  143  extends centrally across the width of the vehicle width as seen in a comparative example of  FIGS. 10( a ) and 11( a ) , the pillar  143  would overlap most of another vehicle OC (following vehicle OS) traveling behind the vehicle. Thus, it is difficult for the driver of the vehicle to visually check the other vehicle OC via a room mirror  118 . Particularly, if a distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle OC traveling behind the vehicle has got relatively large, the other vehicle OC would completely overlap the pillar  143 , and thus, it is likely that the other vehicle OC cannot be visually checked by the driver. 
         [0116]    Note that hatched areas sandwiched by lines extending from the room mirror  118  as shown in  FIG. 10( a )  are areas where the other vehicle OC can be visually checked via the room mirror  118 . Namely an area between the hatched areas is where a field of view is blocked by the pillar  143 . 
         [0117]    As seen in the embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 10( b ) and 11( b ) , the pillar  43  is disposed on the right half (on the driver-seat side) of the vehicle body  11  blocks a part of a field of view of the room mirror  18 . However, because the pillar  43  is offset rightward from the centerline of the vehicle body, the driver can visually check, via the room mirror  18 , another vehicle OC traveling behind the vehicle  10 . 
         [0118]    In addition, when another vehicle OC is traveling behind the vehicle  10  on a lane outward of the lane on which the vehicle  10  is traveling, as shown in  FIG. 10( c ) , the driver can check the following vehicle OC via the side mirror  19 . Even when the vehicle  10  is traveling on a curve, as shown in  FIG. 10( d ) , the driver of the vehicle  10  can sufficiently check a following vehicle OC. 
         [0119]    The following describe operation of the vehicle  10  when the vehicle  10  is driven rearward. 
         [0120]    The vehicle  10  may sometimes be driven backward to be parked in a parking lot of a store as shown in  FIG. 12( a ) , or driven backward to a place where another vehicle OC is traveling from a side opposite the driver seat of the vehicle  10  as shown in  FIG. 12( b )  like in a service area of an expressway. 
         [0121]    Even when the vehicle  10  is driven backward like this, the driver can get a wide field of view because the pillar  43  is disposed at a position overlapping the driver seat as seen in  FIG. 12( c ) . 
         [0122]    Referring to  FIG. 3  in addition to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the following can be said. 
         [0123]    In the instant embodiment, the side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  are located at positions avoiding the widthwise center C 2  of the vehicle body  11 , and the window  70  is provided across the widthwise center C 2 . Namely, the window  70  is provided at least in the widthwise central position C 2  of the tailgate  40 , and thus, a minimum necessary field of view can be secured. With the side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  located at positions avoiding the window  70  of the vehicle body  11 , it is possible to prevent the side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  from blocking the field of view. Namely the vehicle  10  of the present invention can be said to be a vehicle capable of securing a high visibility of areas outside the vehicle despite the provision of the door  60 . 
         [0124]    In addition, the door window section  64  is formed over a region between two ends, in the vehicle with direction, of the door  60 , i.e. two opposite widthwise ends of the vehicle, while the tailgate window section  44  is formed over a region, in the vehicle with direction, of the tailgate  40  where the door window section  64  is not formed. Namely, the window section  70  is formed over the substantially entire range in the vehicle width direction. By thus forming the window section  70  in the wide range while preventing the side edges  50   b  and  50   c  of the entrance/exit opening  50  from blocking the field of view, a higher visibility of areas outside the vehicle can be secured. 
         [0125]    The tailgate window section  44  and the door window section  64  are located at generally the same height position in the tailgate  40 . Namely, the tailgate window section  44  and the door window section  64  are formed in succession so that a substantially continuous field of view can be obtained at a given height of the tailgate  40 . 
         [0126]    Further, referring to  FIG. 1 , the following can be said. 
         [0127]    In the vehicle body  11 , the driver seat  12  is offset from the widthwise centerlines C 1  and C 2 , and the pillar  43  (i.e., second opening/closing shaft  47 ) is provided at a position overlapping the driver seat  12  as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body  11 . A portion overlapping the driver seat  12  in the front-rear direction of the vehicle  10  is a portion difficult for the human driver MN to see. Namely, the pillar  43  (second opening/closing shaft  47 ) is provided avoiding a portion that easily comes into a field of vision of the human driver MN. By thus avoiding a portion that easily comes into a field of vision of the human driver MN, an appropriate field of vision of the human driver MN can be secured. 
         [0128]    In addition, the side edge  50   b , closer to the vehicle width center, of the entrance/exit opening  50  is located closer to the driver seat  12  than the widthwise centerlines C 1  and C 2 , and thus, a boundary between the door window section  64  and the tailgate window section  44  is also located closer to the driver seat  12 . By positioning the boundary between the door window section  64  and the tailgate window section  44  being located at a portion difficult for the human driver MN to see, it is possible to secure a more appropriate field of vision of the human driver MN. 
         [0129]    The following describe, with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 15 , operation of the door  60 . 
         [0130]      FIG. 13( a )  shows a vehicle  200  having only a tailgate  240 , where the tailgate  240  has to be opened whenever baggage is to be loaded or unloaded to or from the vehicle  200 . As the tailgate  240  is opened, it projects to the rear of the vehicle by an amount corresponding to a height dimension of the tailgate  240 . 
         [0131]    The embodiment of the vehicle  10 , on the other hand, includes the door  60  mounted on a part of the tailgate  40 , as shown in  FIG. 13( b ) . If the width of the door  60  is smaller than a height dimension of the tailgate  40 , an amount of projection of the door  60  toward the rear of the vehicle when the door  60  rather than the tailgate  40  is opened can be reduced by an amount  6  as compared to an amount of projection of the tailgate  40  when the tailgate  40  is opened. By thus reducing the amount of projection to the rear of the vehicle  10 , it is possible to prevent installed objects around the vehicle  10  from interfering with opening/closing of the door  60 . Namely, only a small space suffices for baggage loading/unloading operation. 
         [0132]    As shown in  FIG. 14( a ) , another comparative example of a vehicle  300  has a door  360  that opens from widthwise center of the vehicle toward a widthwise end, i.e. opens from a side edge  350   b  located near a vehicle with center. When elongated baggage Ca, such as a golf bag or a baby buggy, is to be loaded into a trunk of such a vehicle  300 , the elongated baggage Ca has to be inclined sufficiently so as not to contact the door  360 ; that is, a large inclination θ 1  of the baggage Ca is required. However, as the baggage Ca is loaded in such an inclined state, the distal end of the baggage Ca may contact a rear seat  315  so that the baggage Ca cannot be appropriately stored into the trunk  316 . 
         [0133]    By contrast, the door  60  in the embodiment of the vehicle  10  is constructed to open from a vehicle widthwise end portion toward the vehicle widthwise center, as shown in  FIG. 14( b ) . Because the door  60  opens toward the vehicle widthwise center, elongated baggage Ca has to be inclined only slightly, i.e. by a small inclination angle θ 2 , with respect to the vehicle width direction at the time of storage into the trunk. Because the elongated baggage Ca has to be inclined only slightly, the third row of seats would not interfere with the elongated baggage Ca at the time of storage into the trunk, and thus, the elongated baggage Ca can be easily stored into the trunk. 
         [0134]    Further, in the comparative example vehicle  300 , as shown in  FIG. 15( a ) , the door  360  starts opening from near a driver-seat-side end portion of a tailgate  340 . A door knob for opening the door  360  is provided near the position where the door  360  starts opening. A passenger who wants to open the door  360  first moves from a front passenger seat  313  to a rear corner portion of the vehicle  300  and then opens the door  360  while moving from the rear corner portion to a rear right end of the vehicle  300 . 
         [0135]    By contrast, the door  60  in the embodiment of the vehicle  10  is constructed to open from a position near the widthwise end portion of the tailgate  40 . The knob (depicted by reference numeral  62  in  FIG. 3 ) for opening the door  60  is provided near the position where the door  60  starts opening. A passenger who wants to open the door  60  first moves from the front passenger seat  13  to a rear corner portion of the vehicle  10 . Because the rear corner portion of the vehicle and the widthwise end portion of the tailgate  40  are located near to each other, the knob for opening the door  60  is also mounted in that neighborhood. Thus, the passenger can open the door  60  without moving to the vehicle width center in a rear portion of the vehicle, and thus, a distance over which the passenger has to move along the peripheral edge of the vehicle can be significantly reduced. 
         [0136]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3  as well, the driver seat  12  is offset in one direction from the centerlines C 1  and C 2 , and one of the side edges ( 54  in  FIG. 4 ) of the entrance/exit opening  50  is disposed opposite the driver seat  12 . Namely, the side edge from which the door  60  of the entrance/exit opening  50  starts opening is located adjacent to the front passenger seat  13 . When baggage is to be loaded/unloaded in the neighborhood of a roadway, it is desirable that the baggage loading/unloading operation be performed at a position off the roadway. According to the present invention, where the door  60  starts opening from an end position adjacent to the front passenger seat  13 , the baggage loading/unloading operation can be performed at a position off the roadway. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0137]    Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle  10 A of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16  shows the second embodiment of the vehicle  10 A of the present invention in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0138]    In the second embodiment, a ratio of a width W 2  of a door  60 A to the width W 1  of the tailgate  40  is W 2 =0.3×W 1 . A tailgate knob  41 A (opening operation means  41 ) is disposed at a position avoiding the exhaust port  26  in the vehicle width direction. The second embodiment of the vehicle  10 A constructed in this manner can also achieve the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention. 
       Embodiment 8 
       [0139]    Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle  10 B of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17  shows the third embodiment  10 B of the vehicle of the present invention in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0140]    In the third embodiment of the vehicle  10 B, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a door  60 B is a sliding door slidable in the vehicle width direction. The sliding door too can be said to be a type of horizontally openable door. 
         [0141]    The third embodiment of the vehicle  10 B constructed in this manner can also achieve the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention. Because the door  60 B is a sliding door slidable in the vehicle width direction as noted above, an amount of projection of the door  60 B toward the rear of the vehicle can be even further reduced. Note that the third embodiment of the vehicle  10 B does not include the hinge (depicted by reference numeral  80  in  FIG. 4 ) and the second opening/closing shaft (depicted by reference numeral  47  in  FIG. 3 ). 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0142]    Next, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle  10 C of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  shows the fourth embodiment of the vehicle  10 C of the present invention in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0143]    In the fourth embodiment of the vehicle  10 C, as shown in  FIG. 18 , a door  60 C opens from a widthwise end portion. Namely, a second opening/closing shaft  47 C is provided on the widthwise end portion. The fourth embodiment of the vehicle  10 C constructed in this manner can also achieve the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention. Note that the fourth embodiment of the vehicle  10 C does not include the pillar (depicted by reference numeral  43  in  FIG. 3 ). 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0144]    Next, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle  10 D of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 19  shows the fifth embodiment of the vehicle  10 D of the present invention in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0145]    In the fifth embodiment of the vehicle  10 D, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a door  60 D is provided centrally in a tailgate  40 D. Thus, a door window glass  65 D is disposed centrally in the width of the vehicle, and two tailgate window glasses  45 D are disposed sandwiching the door window glass  65 D. Namely, a window section  70 D comprises the door window glass  65 D and the two tailgate window glasses  45 D. The fifth embodiment of the vehicle  10 D constructed in this manner can also achieve the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention. 
       Embodiment 6 
       [0146]    Next, a sixth embodiment of the vehicle  10 E of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 20  shows the sixth embodiment of the vehicle  10 E of the present invention in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 9( b ) . 
         [0147]    In the sixth embodiment of the vehicle  10 E, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a front-side sub seat  22 E is constructed to be storable beneath a floor surface of the passenger compartment. The front-side sub seat  22 E is not only movable forward but also collapsible. The sixth embodiment of the vehicle  10 E constructed in this manner can also achieve the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention. 
         [0148]    Note that the seat constructed to be collapsible in the vehicle width direction, the seat constructed to be collapsible in the front-rear direction and the seat constructed to be storable beneath the floor surface may be combined as desired as long as the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention are achievable. 
         [0149]    Furthermore, whereas the vehicle of the present invention has been described above in relation to the case where it is a right-hand-drive vehicle, the basic principles of the present invention are also applicable to a left-hand-drive vehicle. In such a case, the invention may be modified as appropriate; for example, the entrance/exit opening and the door may be provided on a substantial right half of the rear section of the vehicle so that the door is opened from a widthwise end portion opposite the driver seat. 
         [0150]    In addition, whereas the various embodiments have been illustratively described above to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention should never be construed as limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified as desired as long as the aforementioned advantageous benefits of the present invention are achievable. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments may be combined with any of the other embodiments as appropriate. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0151]    The basic principles of the present invention are well suited for application to wagon-type vehicles. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0152]      10 ,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E . . . vehicle,  11  . . . vehicle body,  26  . . . exhaust port,  30  . . . rear opening,  40 ,  40 A . . . tailgate,  40   b  . . . remaining rear surface portion,  41 ,  41 A . . . tailgate knob (opening operation means),  50 ,  50 A . . . entrance/exit opening,  50   b  . . . side edge of the entrance/exit opening,  50   b  . . . side edge of the entrance/exit opening (opening start end),  60 ,  60 A,  60 B,  60 C,  60 D,  60 E . . . door,  61  . . . door latch,  62  . . . outer handle,  63  . . . inner handle (canceling operation means), C 2  . . . centerline extending in an up-down direction centrally across a width of the vehicle (widthwise centerline of the vehicle body), C 3  . . . widthwise centerline of the entrance/exit opening extending centrally across a width of the entrance/exit opening, C 4  . . . centerline between the widthwise centerline of the vehicle body and a widthwise end of the vehicle body