Passenger cars developed by Honda - a worldly automaker originating in Japan but now with extensive design and production facilities in North America - represent a diverse fleet that collectively ranks as the least-polluting line in the American marketplace.

Honda's 2004 collection, in fact, contains two unique hybrid vehicles that carry both an ultra-efficient gasoline-powered engine as well as a battery-powered electric motor. The two draw energy from both plants in an unusual hybrid arrangement designed to maximize fuel economy and reduce emissions.

Honda's original hybrid, the Insight in a daring design with two-seat coupe format, scores as the most fuel-efficient production vehicle in America. Then Honda's Civic sedan , the country's best-selling compact, spins off a variation called Civic Hybrid. It too is a gasoline-electric hybrid but stocks a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine plus an ultra-thin direct-current electric motor.

Gasoline-powered Civics in sedan and coupe variations return to the 2004 class with restyled bodies flashing revamped hoods, headlights and grilles. Civic Si, a long and tall hatchback coupe with rakish lines, sporty manners and a high-tech engine on tap, also repeats but rolls on larger 16-inch wheels and gets new silver trim on the instrument panel.

Honda's midsize Accord series, recast in 2003 with a seventh-generation design for the stylish four-door sedan and slinky two-door coupe, gains standard equipment on deluxe editions such as XM satellite radio service.

Then comes Honda's raucous two-seater, S2000, in classic roadster format with a front-mounted engine directing forceful power to the two rear wheels. A new engine worth 240 hp with revamped transmission gearing plus revised suspension tuning brings more enthusiasm to Honda's roadster, and new color choices are available like Rio Yellow Pearl.

Honda's midsize sedan and coupe debuted last year with slick new exterior styling, new powertrains aboard and expanded cabins with more room for riders and more standard equipment. The glittery face and edgy lines shaping the sedan look sophisticated, even expensive. A steep rake to hood and windshield adds notched corners and multi-lens headlamp clusters in geometric formats. Fenders and flanks reveal not only hard and straight lines denoting strength and speed but also complex curves with both convex and concave angles for artistic sculpture.

Accord the coupe borrows enough styling cues from the sedan to maintain a family resemblance yet the two-door seems to hunker down on pavement due to a lower roofline and the high beltline with elongated doors plus sweeping rear fenders that suggest speed and agility. The impression of strength and speed is supported by a pair of engines from Honda developed expressly to out-perform predecessors in terms of power and efficiency as well as fuel economy.

Accord's base four-cylinder engine displaces 2.4 liters with output extending to 160 hp. Both coupe and sedan carry the base engine. In the sedan, it comes with three trims of DX, LX and EX, while the coupe shows LX and EX issues. Both also offer an aluminum 3.0-liter V6 with single overhead cam and VTEC controls. It runs up to 240 hp. An available five-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission or six-speed manual slips into the top coupe edition, EX V6.

The fancy five-seat cabin features LED lighting for instruments and separate climate controls for driver and passenger. Trims EX-L and EX V6 add XM satellite radio as standard equipment, while curtain-style side air bags are now optional on EX four-cylinder models. Deep Green Pearl is one of several new body shades available for both coupe and sedan. (CONTINUE...)