Latest news with #Tremor
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How toys have quietly become part of space history
A soft white swan named Joy is all set to join the upcoming Axiom-4 mission, floating her way into orbit alongside a crew of astronauts. Chosen by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's six-year-old son, Joy will serve as the mission's zero-gravity indicator—a whimsical but meaningful tradition in space travel that began decades ago. Joy joins a long line of toys that have become silent companions in space history. What Joy stands for Joy, the baby swan aboard Axiom-4, isn't just a zero-G indicator—it's a symbol of cultural unity. Chosen to mark the transition into microgravity, Joy also reflects the joint spirit of ISRO, ESA, and Hungary's Hunor programme. In India, the swan is revered as the vahana of Goddess Saraswati, symbolising wisdom and purity. In Poland, it stands for loyalty and resilience. In Hungary, it embodies grace and the beauty of nature. Through Joy, the Ax-4 crew quietly celebrates the cultural threads that connect their mission across borders. The first space toys The tradition started in 1961 when Yuri Gagarin brought a small doll on his historic flight. In 1985, NASA's STS-51D mission flew 11 toys to demonstrate microgravity's effects—showing how objects like Slinkys and yo-yos behave differently in orbit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo These experiments became powerful tools to teach space physics. Pop culture icons take flight Buzz Lightyear's 2008 mission aboard the ISS helped NASA's STEM outreach by bringing a beloved toy to space. Since then, characters like Olaf ( Frozen ), Red ( Angry Birds ), and Grogu (Baby Yoda) have flown to inspire young fans and make space more relatable. Handmade and family-selected keepsakes Not all toys come from franchises. In 2013, astronaut Karen Nyberg sewed a tiny dinosaur aboard the ISS for her son. Many toys are picked by astronauts' children, like Tremor, a glittery dinosaur flown on Crew Dragon, or the CBeebies star Miss Mouse from , carried by Tim Peake. Why toys travel to space They serve scientific, emotional, and cultural roles. After missions, many toys find homes in museums or with families. Zero-G indicators: Show when weightlessness begins. . Examples include Earthy, a plush blue planet on a SpaceX test flight, and Tremor, who delighted kids watching Crew Dragon's launch Physics demonstrators: NASA's toy experiments teach microgravity physics. Emotional anchors: Provide comfort and connection, often chosen by astronauts' kids. Cultural ambassadors: Characters inspire wonder and science curiosity.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2026 Ford Explorer Tremor SUV gets new off-road chops, more style
The 2026 Ford Explorer's off-road credibility is in for a boost when the midsize SUV adds a model with the automaker's popular Tremor badge later this year. The Explorer Tremor adds gear, including three steel skid plates, increased ground clearance and a Torsen rear differential. The 2026 Explorer Tremor also gets handsome visual upgrades from bright LED off-road lights across a new grille to 'Electric Spice' orange details. On sale late 2025 Standard four-wheel drive 3.0L twin-turbo V6 or 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine 400-hp maximum power 10-speed automatic transmission 31.5-inch Bridgestone all-terrain tires 18-inch gloss black painted wheels with orange highlight Electric spice orange highlights Assembled in Chicago Price: TBA The Tremor should add meaningful capability compared with the Explorer's short-lived Timberline trim, which was about looks more than function. Ford discontinued the Timberline after the 2024 model year. The Tremor is an outdoorsy model mirroring the performance-oriented ST in the Explorer lineup. ST prices start at $56,770. It's not unreasonable to expect the Tremor in the same neighborhood. 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 review: Plug-in luxury with smooth power and smart style Tremors will be available with either a 2.3L four-cylinder or 3.0L V6 engine. The only performance figures Ford has revealed is 400 hp from the twin-turbo V6. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. A 14-speaker B&O audio system will be available. The Explorer is the second Ford SUV to get a Tremor model, following the Expedition. There are also Tremor models of Ford's pickups. The Explorer Tremor's front corners were carved out so the front wheels can tackle big rocks without damaging the fascia. Selecting a new off-road mode modifies throttle response, shift points, traction control, power distribution, 360-degree trail view and an inclinometer. Other unique Tremor touches include: 1 inch more ground clearance Twin front recovery hooks LED off-road lights in grille Steel front, rear and transmission skid plates Unique front and rear fascia Off-road driving mode Improved approach and departure angles Trail view cameras Unique stabilizer bars and springs Upgraded shock absorbers The Tremor will be the first vehicle with the 1.5 version of Ford's Blue Cruise hands-free driving system, which adds fully automatic lane changes to its other features. It shares the upgrades the 2025 Explorer received, including Google navigation, apps and music. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain standard equipment. Ford is taking orders for the Explorer Tremor now. Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor SUV gets new off-road chops, more style Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
a day ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
2026 Ford Explorer Tremor SUV gets new off-road chops, more style
The 2026 Ford Explorer's off-road credibility is in for a boost when the midsize SUV adds a model with the automaker's popular Tremor badge later this year. The Explorer Tremor adds gear, including three steel skid plates, increased ground clearance and a Torsen rear differential. The 2026 Explorer Tremor also gets handsome visual upgrades from bright LED off-road lights across a new grille to 'Electric Spice' orange details. 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor Ford key facts On sale late 2025 Standard four-wheel drive 3.0L twin-turbo V6 or 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine 400-hp maximum power 10-speed automatic transmission 31.5-inch Bridgestone all-terrain tires 18-inch gloss black painted wheels with orange highlight Electric spice orange highlights Assembled in Chicago Price: TBA Taking the Explorer off-road — for real, this time The Tremor should add meaningful capability compared with the Explorer's short-lived Timberline trim, which was about looks more than function. Ford discontinued the Timberline after the 2024 model year. The Tremor is an outdoorsy model mirroring the performance-oriented ST in the Explorer lineup. ST prices start at $56,770. It's not unreasonable to expect the Tremor in the same neighborhood. Tremors will be available with either a 2.3L four-cylinder or 3.0L V6 engine. The only performance figures Ford has revealed is 400 hp from the twin-turbo V6. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. A 14-speaker B&O audio system will be available. The Explorer is the second Ford SUV to get a Tremor model, following the Expedition. There are also Tremor models of Ford's pickups. What makes the Explorer Tremor special? The Explorer Tremor's front corners were carved out so the front wheels can tackle big rocks without damaging the fascia. Selecting a new off-road mode modifies throttle response, shift points, traction control, power distribution, 360-degree trail view and an inclinometer. Other unique Tremor touches include: The Tremor will be the first vehicle with the 1.5 version of Ford's Blue Cruise hands-free driving system, which adds fully automatic lane changes to its other features. It shares the upgrades the 2025 Explorer received, including Google navigation, apps and music. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain standard equipment. Ford is taking orders for the Explorer Tremor now. Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@ Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
This SUV gets pickup performance; it's capable, comfortable and … expensive
ORO STATION, ONT.—Take one racetrack under construction. Add a beautiful blue sky. Mix in a brand-new, full-size SUV specially tuned for off-road work and an enthusiastic road tester. And what do you get? A grand day! I'm at the site of what's soon to be the Oro Station Motor Circuit racetrack, near Lake Simcoe regional airport, about 90 minutes north of Toronto. The piles of soil and boulders here provide a great means to test the mettle of the all-new Ford Expedition Tremor. All Expedition trims have been re-engineered for 2025, but the Tremor is an all-new addition to the line. Every model comes with four-wheel-drive, three rows of seating and an all-new, split rear tailgate. Just the upper part can be open. The lower portion stays closed to keep things in place. The front centre storage bin slides rearward under power to reveal an additional, eight-inch, storage tray. Tremor-spec., hitherto available only on Ford pickups, provides: knobby 33-inch, General Grabber, all-terrain tires; 10.6-inch of ground clearance; tow hooks; and a grille design with additional auxiliary lights and underbody protection. 'Electric Spice' accents around the front air intakes, on the tow hooks, and, even on the wheels, are eye-catching, but functional; the yellow on the wheel spokes surrounds the tire's valve stem so it can be located more easily when caked in mud or snow. The Tremor is about more than just looking the part of a tough off-roader; it's meant to be used as such. Hence the underbody skid plates that protect the radiator, gas tank and more. Hence the added ride height, the addition of a Rock Crawl drive mode and the fact that it comes available only with the more powerful version of the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 all Expeditions get. It produces 440 horsepower and 510 pounds-feet of torque, fed to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. There's an electronic locking rear differential for even more off-road ability. With Rock Crawl drive mode activated, I traverse basketball-sized rocks embedded in the dirt below. Even with the girth associated of a full-size SUV, it gamely clambers through the obstacles, with only a few strikes of the skid plate below. The truck can handle all the throttle and braking duties through the Trail Assist feature that acts as a form of off-road cruise control. All the driver has to do is steer, a task helped by another piece of tech: a camera facing forward and down with onscreen indicators that show each wheel's expected path. That makes it much easier to avoid certain obstacles, once you get used to looking at the 13.2-inch screen below. Every Expedition gets a digital speedometer. The 24-inch display also contains the fuel gauge, Google Maps and blind-spot camera display. It's neat. But you have to look at it and use buttons mounted on the oval-shaped steering wheel — I will say this provides a clearer view of both the instruments and the road ahead — to adjust the wheel and the pedals. It just doesn't feel as natural as a button or lever mounted on the column. If you'd rather not worry about using the steering wheel at all, you can do that as well — to a degree. The Tremor is equipped with Ford BlueCruise, which enables you to drive for extended periods without ever having to put your hands on the wheel, or your feet on the pedals. It doesn't work on all roads, but on the highway I was on, it was aces, even adjusting when the road lost a lane in a construction zone. It kept a perfect distance from the vehicle ahead and kept me dead-centre in the lane. It will even change lanes for you; simply nudge the turn indicator stalk, and, when safe, it will change lanes to pass. Space and creature comforts inside keep occupants happy. For better visibility, the second-row seats get a higher mount than the first, and the third row sits even higher still. It can accommodate three kids comfortably — there are child seat latches — and two adults should have no problem getting comfortable back there. They get USB-C ports and cupholders as well as their own ceiling-mounted climate vents to keep them comfortable on longer journeys. If you want to pitch up at a backcountry campsite, certain features make it a glamping-like affair. These include a trunk-mounted folding picnic table, extra interior lights, USB-C ports and a 400W power outlet. Even with the knobbier tires, the Tremor provides a smooth ride on normal roads and with all the other interior accoutrements, it makes for a perfect long-distance travel companion. At more than one 100 grand before delivery, it won't be a massive seller. But it's a hugely capable three-row SUV. Back on the dusty obstacle course, I try to unseat the Tremor, but there really is nothing that can stop it. Off-camber soft dirt? No problem. Steep climbs that would make a mountain goat think twice? Aces. How about a set of fallen logs? Hard to traverse smoothly, but that was likely because of my lack of skill. But the logs were dispatched. If the Tremor can handle all this, a forestry road to a backcountry campsite shouldn't be a problem, even in bad weather. Type: Five-door, full-size SUV; four-wheel-drive Engine: Twin-turbocharged V6; 440 horsepower; 510 pounds-feet of torque (motive force) Fuel: 15.4 litres/100 km in the city; 10.7l/100 km on the highway; 13.3l/100 km combined Transmission: Ten-speed automatic Cargo: 3,072 litres or 108.5 cubic feet behind first row; 1,979l or 69.9 cu. ft. behind second row; 648l or 22.9 cu. ft. behind third row Towing: 4,218 kilograms, or 9,300 pounds, as equipped Price: $103,470, as tested
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Explorer Tremor: Ford's SUV Gets a Dirt-Ready Makeover
Ford trimmed the Explorer lineup in 2025, from eight variants to just four: Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum, effectively dropping the Timberline trim. The decision was aimed at simplifying production, streamlining inventory, and sharpening the Explorer's market identity. But while the new range covered versatility, sportiness, and luxury, something was missing: a truly rugged, trail-ready variant. That void is now filled with the arrival of the 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor. Joining the Tremor family, which includes the F-150, Expedition, Super Duty, and Maverick, the Explorer finally gains off-road credentials to match its adventurous name. Replacing the discontinued Timberline model, the Tremor marks a more focused approach to outdoor capability, packaged in a midsize SUV that's still built for family use. More than just a styling package, the new Tremor trim is a functional evolution of the Explorer designed for mud, rocks, and everything in between. Visually, the 2026 Explorer Tremor sets itself apart with a tough new look anchored by 18-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. A signature Electric Spice accent highlights a wheel spoke and is mirrored on the front and rear tow hooks, adding a splash of color to its rugged stance. Ford also fitted auxiliary off-road lighting, and although it hasn't published the approach and departure angles, they've been improved for trail use. An off-road-tuned suspension with recalibrated springs and sway bars raises the ride height by an inch, giving the Tremor better ground clearance. Underbody protection at both ends shields vital components from trail hazards. Inside, the Tremor blends function with premium features. The cabin includes Ford's latest Digital Experience interface, standard Copilot 360 Assist 2.0, and optional BlueCruise 1.5 for hands-free highway driving. Other high-end amenities – like massaging front seats and a 14-speaker B&O sound system – remind drivers that off-roaders can still have creature comforts. Under the hood, buyers can choose between two EcoBoost engines. The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four delivers 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while those craving more punch can opt for the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, shared with the Explorer ST and Ranger Raptor, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system with a Torsen limited-slip differential. The 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor is set to arrive in dealerships later this year. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but expect it to land between the ST-Line and Platinum trims. For families looking to trade pavement for trails, the Tremor finally gives the Explorer real off-road substance. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
