Mahindra & Mahindra on Monday launched 'Invader', a sporty open top vehicle, based on its utility vehicle 'Bolero'.

"The indigenously developed vehicle, to be manufactured at Nasik, will focus on the outdoor segment and not canabalise the Bolero segment", executive director and president (automotive sector) Alan Durante told reporters at the launch in Mumbai.

Stating that it was a replacement for the 'Classic' model, Durante said M&M was looking at the African market for export apart from neighbouring countries. It could be useful for government agencies like the police or defence establishments, he added.

On exports, he said initially the company was planning it on completely built units basis for its vehicles unless there is demand to set it up a separate facility.

He said the highly successful 'Scorpio' continued to be projected as a substitute for the car in the cities and position Bolero continue to be in the region of 750-800 units a month, he added.

Asked about sales target for the new vehicle, Durante said, "As of now we are fully geared to meet the demand". The petrol version of the "Invader" with an Isuzu engine would be available in the next three to four months, he added.

Durante said the vehicle, with a price tag starting at Rs 378,000 for the base version, was available in two wheel and four wheel drive, for which it would cost Rs 30,000 more.

It would be available in the four metros, Jaipur and Chandigarh from mid-April and a phased rollout across the country from May onwards.

Two models - GLX and DI - are available in four colours. The vehicle is powered by a 2.5 litre IDI diesel engine offering 72.5 bhp output with a DI diesel version, and 58 bhp diesel engines.