It is possible to make your neighbors green with envy in Honda's latest eco-friendly addition to the popular Civic line-up?

Well, yes and no.

You may feel morally superior zipping about town in your new gas-sipping compact, but not many people will understand the reason for your newfound smugness. That's because Honda's 2003 Civic Hybrid is so much like an ordinary car, that few people would ever know you're driving a vehicle equipped with the latest in ultra-low emission technology.

That means you'll just have to brag about it. And if your friends are easily impressed with technical jargon, you can tell them that the Hybrid is powered by Honda's innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Basically, that means the Hybrid's primary power source is a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder gas engine. But when extra boost is needed on acceleration, an electric motor kicks in to provide added horsepower. Think of it as a gas motor with an electric turbo.

The CVT is a revolutionary piece of automotive technology that abandons the usual transmission gears in favor of two metal cones. The system works by varying the position of a high-strength steel belt between the cone. One cone connects to the power input of the transmission and the other connects to the power output side of the transmission. Through various guides within the transmission, the belt can slide up and down the cones to create the most suitable gear ratio for any speed and throttle input. The end results for drivers are smooth, seamless shifts, better torque and improved fuel efficiency. But for those who prefer a stick, a five-speed manual transmission is also offered on the U.S. model.

There are some other neat ideas at work here too. Each time the car comes to a complete stop at traffic lights, stop signs or even in gridlock, the gas engine shuts down to save fuel and reduce pollution. The batteries pick up the slack to keep the radio, lights, turn signals and even the air conditioning powered. Then, as soon as the brake pedal is released, the gas motor quietly comes back to life with the aid of the electric motor.

The only time the automatic idle stop feature disengages itself is when the AC is on and the driver has not selected the econo mode. In that event, the gas engine will keep running to prevent the air conditioning from drawing too much power.

Another gas saving feature kicks in when coasting. The Hybrid uses Honda's clever VTEC technology to shut down up to three of the four cylinders for added fuel economy and charging of the nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Best of all, unlike what we've come to expect from electric technology, there is no need for external charging. The Hybrid cleverly charges itself every time you apply the brakes (what the engineers call "regenerative braking").

Add to this low rolling resistance tires and a functional rear spoiler and front air dam to reduce drag, and you've got yourself a lean, mean driving machine.

So how does it drive? Well, pretty much like any other Civic on the road. It's well mannered yet spirited, ergonomically friendly and roomier than you might expect. And despite the small engine, it cruises effortlessly at normal highway speeds and even above with very little noise. In fact, the car is eerily quiet pretty much all of the time. (CONTINUE...)