It’s fast, functional and futuristically fantastic

It’s nice to have a wide variety of interesting automotive projects to shoot, but few come close to this machine! It was a bit of a coo getting this gig, not least because it’ s a new client and an all-new vehicle. Chocs were dispatched to the lovely person who recommended us… I digress: The TMV 6x6M is a spanking new, all-wheel-drive, all-wheel-steering, roughty-toughty go ‘anywhere you care to mention’ military vehicle - and what’s more folks, it’s 100% British.
The overall design concept was to meet a growing need for a fast, safe, highly manoeuvrable vehicle, capable of taking a multitude of pod-like bodies with an unrivalled payload (very respectable 4 tonnes). On the functionality front it’s racing car meets aircraft: With full insurgency-proof stainless steel blast protection, the V-tub chassis on the TMV 6x6M can deflect potentially-deadly mine and IED blasts. Power comes from a 4.5-litre Cummins Euro 5 ISBe diesel, developing 200 bhp and 900Nm of torque. Drive is transmitted to all road wheels through an Allison 2500SP 6-speed fully-automatic gearbox. The vehicle also has six Dana lockable diffs and Brembo vented disc brakes. Performance is blistering, with a current (limited) top speed of 85mph.

Shot by us for TMV’s agency MPH, the brief was to capture a full range of press launch and PR images - with a particular focus on the arduous testing a prototype of this stature goes through. Luckily we had a decent (ssshhh… top secret) test track to play with. The weather’s never going to be in your favour at this time of the year, but with the help from our old buddies at Profoto, two heads and a B2R 1200 generator took care of that particular problem! We just loved the styling of the 6x6M, with nice rounded flowing lines; not in the least bit intimidating. Due to the fact it’s based on a modular design, smaller 4x4 and much larger 8x8 variants will follow.

www.tomcunningham.co.uk