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BMW i8 added to exotic Dubai police fleet

Apparently the Dubai Police is ready to start expanding its vast collection of exotic cars yet again. After taking a little while off from new purchases, the cops there recently added a Lexus RC F to the stable, and now the force has gone green – well, kind of. The latest high-performance vehicle to wear the green and white livery is a BMW i8. While the video above isn't in English, the clip is self-explanatory by showing off officials getting out of the high-performance hybrid coupe and taking a walk around it. With a total output of a mere 357 horsepower, the i8 is practically the economy entry in the Dubai Police fleet that includes a Bugatti Veyron and McLaren MP4-12C. Pics: #BMW i8 joins #DubaiPolice fleet of Super Patrol #Cars. @BMW #BMWi8 #Dubai #MyDubai #UAE #Police #Luxury pic.twitter.com/u0WK16g6B0 - Dubai Police???? ??? (@DubaiPoliceHQ) March 11, 2015 Related Video: Related Gallery Dubai Police BMW i8 News Source: Twitter, ArabGT.com via YouTube Auto News Green BMW Coupe Hybrid Videos dubai dubai police

BMW recalls over 76k 2012-2014 models over brake failure

Bimmerfest is reporting that BMW has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its intention to voluntarily recall more than 75,000 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3 and Z4 models due to a possible loss of power brake assist that could result in the vehicles failing to stop. The recall affects 2012-2014 models equipped with either the N20 or N26 engine produced from May 2012 to August 2013. Until recall repairs have been performed, BMW dealers will discontinue selling or delivering any affected vehicles in their inventories.
The problem has been traced to restricted oil supply from the intake camshaft to the brake vacuum pump, which may cause the brake vacuum pump to fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist. While the hydraulic brakes will still function, the driver must much apply greater pedal pressure and the distance required to stop the vehicle will increase.
BMW has reported three minor accidents with no confirmed injuries. According to Bimmerfest, drivers who encounter a braking problem should "pull the emergency brake and apply as much brake pedal pressure as possible. If your BMW has an electronic parking brake pull up and hold the switch to engage the brake." Drivers should then park in a safe location and contact BMW Roadside Assistance.

What does the open patents deal mean for Tesla ... and BMW?

Gift to the world or trade bait? Tesla Motors announced this week it would open its patents for other automakers to use. That has analysts guessing whether the California-based electric-vehicle maker is looking to either swap trade secrets with other automakers or to expand the proverbial pie that represents the plug-in vehicle market. For its part, Tesla says the answer is B. BMW, which is establishing its i sub-brand of plug-in vehicles, would be a natural collaborator with Tesla, Forbes says. In fact, executives from the two companies met in Europe this week. Details were not released, but a BMW spokesman said, "Both companies are strongly committed to the success of electromobility and discussed how to further strengthen the development of electromobility on an international level." While Tesla brings battery technology to the table, BMW offers its carbon-fiber advancements that lighten vehicle-body weight. Those advancements are key to range-extending efforts and could do wonders for Tesla on its journey to help spur technology for the sake of getting more of the general public to accept plug-in technology as a viable first-car option. Then again, Forbes says Tesla, whose investors include Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and Toyota, may be keeping its best technologies to itself by not patenting certain advancements at all. What's in Tesla's patent pool? uAutoInsurance analyzed Tesla's 249 patents and found that 104 of them related to battery technology, while 28 pertained to recharging activity, which wasn't surprising (about a quarter of those 249 patents couldn't readily be categorized). Tesla also has nine patents related to sunroof technology. The company is based in California, after all.