DUAL FUNCTION LATCH ASSEMBLY AND RETRACTABLE STRIKER AND/OR RETRACTABLE RATCHET ASSEMBLY FOR DUAL DOOR PILLAR-LESS DOOR SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

A door latch system is provided for a motor vehicle having a front door having a forward portion configured for sealed engagement with an A-pillar and a rear door having a rearward portion configured for sealed engagement with a C-pillar, the front and rear doors being configured for movement relative to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle to bring respective rearward and forward portions into sealed engagement with one another to close off a B-pillarless opening bounded by the vehicle body. The door latch system includes a retractable striker assembly and/or retractable ratchet assembly attached to one of the front and rear doors and includes a respective retractable striker and/or retractable ratchet movable between extended and retracted positions.