Honda debuts the hybrid edition of its popular CR-V crossover at the Shanghai auto show on April 19, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Japanese brand's hybrid version of its popular CR-V sport utility vehicle made its world premiere on April 19, the first media day of the 2017 Shanghai auto show.

The CR-V hybrid will go on sale later this year in China, where potential consumers were spurred by stricter regulations on air quality.

The automaker said the CR-V hybrid will come loaded with the full suite of Honda Sensing advanced safety and driver assistance technology.

The new model will be powered by Honda's Sport Hybrid drivetrain that applies Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive two-motor hybrid system. The i-MMD hybrid motor, already used in the Honda Accord hybrid, combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a pair of electric motors, one powering the engine and the other mated to the differential.

The new model will be capable of running on three modes and switch smoothly among the Electric, Hybrid, Engine mode.

Honda announced an electrified vehicle developed exclusively for the Chinese market will be launched in 2018 at the auto show, and brought the NeuV concept mini-vehicle to China for the first time.

Executives of Honda Motor and GAC Honda pose next to the NeuV concept mini-vehicle at the Shanghai auto show on April 19, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]