Its difficult times for the automobile industry around the world (apart from the Gulf but that’s a rant for another day) the high gas prices coupled with strict emission norms which will come into effect soon are hitting the manufacturers hard. Even those driving big fast luxury cars are as unhappy as everyone else, with high gas prices and very empathetic to the effect of everyday prices on everyday people.

So if you are the kinds who wants to drive a high performance luxury car around and still want it to be as environmently friendly as poosible, Forbes might just have an answer for you. According to Forbes, some luxury sedans and SUV’s in the market are frugal in their consumption while also retaining most of their residual value. And while the choices are far and few, they are indeed there.

To pick top 10 guilt free luxury cars, vehicles priced within $40,000 to $90,000 were considered and its projected worth was calculated at the end of three years of either a purchase or a lease. Expectedly, most of the list constitutes German and Japanese car. And while the Mercedes Benz E320 BlueTec (with a 0-100 kph time of 6.6 seconds, fuel economy of 26 mph city / 37 mpg highway and emission which are in compliance with the EPA Bin 8 emission regulations which apparantely are so tough that none of the diesel vehicles sold in the U.S in 2006 met the standards) and Lexus hybrids RX400h and LS460h seems like natural choices, vehicles like Mercedes M-Class, GL-Class and even the Jaguar XF are nominated too. Other vehicles on the list are the Lexus IS-F, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Infiniti M35. Its like having your cake and eating it too… take your pick and move “guilt free!”

Source: Forbes.com