New reports indicate that Nissan is preparing to add a convertible version of its popular Murano crossover to its lineup. Strange as it may sound, insider sources seem to believe that Nissan plans to target empty-nesters who are looking for a fun drive that still has room for a grandkid or three. The company is reportedly not targeting the only other vehicle to compete in this segment (if you can even call it that), the far more rough-and-ready Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

The Murano convertible will eschew the popular folding hard top option for a more traditional soft top, most likely as a means of weight saving and in attempts to keep the standard car’s mileage ratings. The current Murano’s 265 horsepower V-6 and CTV will stay, and both front- and all-wheel-drive options should be on the spec sheet. Look for the model year 2011 convertible to start above the current top-of-the-line LE’s price of $39,080.
 
Inside Line has put together a conceptual rendering of what the Murano vert could look like and the result is, to say the least, strange. Should this strange vehicle come to light we’d hope that the Nissan designers could come up with something better than cribbing the “Easter basket” look from the PT Cruiser convertible. Here’s hoping anyway.

+ Edmunds Inside Line: Future Drop Top: 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible