Ineos, the company behind the men's WorldTour cycling team, has unveiled a 4x4 SUV vehicle. There are reports that the Tour de France (open in new tab) may change the kit and name of Team Ineos (open in new tab) to promote this new vehicle.

2019 winner Egan Bernal, 2018 winner Geraint Thomas, and four-time winner Chris Froome (open in new tab) are expected to lead Team Ineos at the Tour de France in September.

Owned and largely controlled by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos is primarily a petrochemical company, but has entered the automotive market with the "Grenadier," described as a "lean, utilitarian 4x4."

The project began in 2018, with 200 engineers contracted to design and develop the vehicle, and manufacturing began in South Wales late last year.

According to Autocar, the vehicle is expected to hit the market in 2021 at a price of £40,000.

The name Grenadier is taken from the London pub where Ratcliffe first conceived the idea and may soon be seen on the jerseys of Chris Froome, Eoghan Bernal, and Geraint Thomas.

"Tuttobiciweb" recently reported that Ineos chose the Tour de France as the ideal way to promote Ratcliffe's latest business venture. The usually well-informed Italian website reported that the team was considering a temporary name change for the occasion, a new kit, and even a new paint job on the bikes.

When contacted by Cycling News, the team declined to comment on possible changes.

UCI regulations allow for one name and kit change per season.

Lot Soudal has changed its name to Lot-Fix-All (Fix-All is a specific product of Soudal) in certain races in the past.

Team Ineos has temporarily changed its kit during its Team Sky days; at the 2018 Tour de France, it wore a special design with a whale on its back to support Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign.

Team Sunweb recently switched from a red and black kit to what it calls a summer kit. The kit is white with black stripes and a red logo to help alleviate the heat. Team Ineos' colors are now black and burgundy.