AS a child if I asked for some small gift, an ocean going yacht or new racehorse say, the correct level of gratitude was expected. Failure would have consequences. Which is how my chimney sweeping career started.

So I suggest any politician pointing to the £13 billion of missing tax revenue caused by the motor industry's laudable efforts to green up cars and improve engine efficiency should be made to go and live in the cupboard under the stairs.

Needless to say someone has already equated this blow to the national purse with the demise of the NHS.

What is it with this country that the default setting on debate about reduced public finances is the end of free healthcare? Do we all think life is one long episode of Holby and we are going to lose the opportunity to get it on with some gob on a stick nurse behind the catheters cupboard?

Hopefully it will mean one less tier of pointless management attempting to eradicate infectious disease via the miracle of the internal memorandum. Or someone will have to renege on his promise of home hip replacement surgery.

Look, every born again hippy across the political spectrum wanted cars with a better drinking and smoking habit. Now you have it. So go and play with your polar bear. I seem to remember we were told that if cars got themselves off the naughty step there would not be a need for more tax because there would not be as much planet to fix.

Already there is talk of electric car tax. I bet you never thought you would hear that any more than see fresh air taxed. And I bet if they could measure it that would be, too.

On the way to creating this revenue black hole, drivers have had to endure a world of miserable, skinny-ribbed city cars with all the appeal of damp shoes and the inspirational qualities of unconsciousness to get maximum tax benefits. Performance? Only in a stiff tailwind.

Which is why today I am filled with joy to bring you a quick, efficient six-speed manual hatchback fully comfort zoned and worthy of its not cheap £24,000 price tag but costing only £110 to tax after a first year freebie. Yep, that's one more gastric band down the bed pan.

Peugeot's 308, the market leader in cabin decluttering, now gets a GT badge, justified by a 202bhp 1.6-litre THP petrol engine which hits 60mph in 7.5 seconds and yet could give you 50mpg. If you want more efficiency and will sacrifice a second off the sprint there is a 70mpg diesel for two grand more.

And make no mistake this performance comes without loss of comfort. Not only is the GT a classily finished product, it rides well on 18-inch low profiles and reworked suspension. Driven with enthusiasm there is nothing but fun to be had without any wild-eyed yee and even haa.

If you are going for the fun factor there is a centre console sport button which synthesises the engine tone and tightens steering for a more involved drive. Over long distances the GT is smooth with the compromise between enthusiasm and family transport well balanced. A further attraction in this department is the large boot space.

Inside you have seen it all before, downsized steering wheel and uncluttered refreshing fascia with a centrally mounted touch screen system which includes the sat nav, one I found deeply frustrating to use. But then that is normally Mrs Navigator and Commander's department on long haul.

There is a good equipment package and over the parking sensors, dual climate control and reversing cameras of lesser models the GT has LED indicators, leather steering wheel sport pack, keyless entry, cruise control and collision alert.

It may be a compromise between exuberance and good sense but, frankly, it's one I would gladly make for the car's long term cost efficiency. If someone gave me one I would write a very long thank you letter. From my hospital bed, obviously.