The driving position doesn't define if it's a van or a minibus... And it isn't just a jdm thing, for example the VW T1, T2 and T3 vans have the front seats above front axle. Random;
a mini bus, is a bus in a van chassis. Literally a van with windows and seats stuck in it. Nothing to do with whether the driver is above or behind the front axle.
Again Steam queued the update instead of starting it so here are some pictures of breaking physics...
Appears that if left ablaze for long enough, fires will engulf the entire car, having small explosions as the fire progresses. (As it reaches parts like the fuel tank, I assume)