What's even safer than a SmartCar? Why, a drop-top SmartCar, of course!

Nothing says safety like a topless SmartCar.

We aren't quite sure what Daimler is working on here, but these patent drawings of what appear to be a Smart Fortwo-based roadster were submitted for trademark approval on November 16, 2010. The folks at Carscoop suggest that this could be a redux of the automaker's Crossblade cabriolet, sold in the early 2000s with very limited production (just 2,000 were made). Us? We aren't so sure.

While the design of this recent patent submission looks like it could preview the next-generation design of the Smart family, we doubt that any sort of roadster is in the works for the immediate future. Could this show up as a concept at one of the 2011 auto shows? We won't rule it out, but for now, we won't be holding our breath for any sort of Smart-branded roadster in the not-too-distant future.

Now the SmartCar already has somewhat of a reputation for its tendency to roll over. The convertible version should add some real excitement to the driving experience.

In fact, driving one of these on the highway has to feel like playing a real life version of Frogger.

The Obama administration's CAFE standards, which dictate an average of 35 MPG by five years, are barely met by the golf cart known as the Smart ForTwo (33 city, 41 highway). I find it hard to conceive of entire fleets of vehicles meetings these standards without incurring, eh, problematic levels of fatalities.

Although, given the skyrocketing costs of Obamacare, this is probably the progressives' method of slashing end-of-life care expenses.