Introduced in the Research & Development Update for Asphalt 8: Airborne, Research & Development, known as R&D for short, is a single player laboratory-style special event that introduces four new game elements: Lab, Test, Quality Checks, and Proto Keys, as well as a number of modifications to existing elements, such as R&D Basic Kit Box, or car-specific free upgrades. As in the Car Mastery, the R&D selection, loading, and pre-race screen introduce a new graphic language. This special event is only available for players with at least 
30 in the Career Mode.
In contrast with Car Mastery, the R&D is more story-oriented. It focuses on telling the story of a car development with the player and other scientists from the car's company being involved.
Vehicles unlockable via R&D can be purchased for a limited time outside of their events with 
or with 
from the garage. For a short time, between March 2017 and January 2018, most of the R&D-unlockable vehicles could be crafted with Blueprints. However, as of the Fall Out Boy Update, the R&D events returned to the older formula, awarding the vehicle only after the completion of the whole event.
Game Elements[]
Lab[]
Lab .002. of the GT by CITROEN R&D having been unlocked.
Numbered from .001. up to .005. (depends on the event), each Lab consists of multiple Tests, currently between 6 and 20 Tests per Lab. After completing a Lab, the next Lab may not be available, because they are gradually released; however, it can be unlocked using Tokens. The amount of Tokens needed to unlock decreases with the waiting time needed.
An R&D event has at least 3 Labs and at most 5 Labs. On average, an R&D event has 4 Labs.
Test[]
Each Test, with a varying race type and track, needs a certain number of Quality Checks (also abbreviated as QC) to be collected, as well as a main goal to be fulfilled. Numbered continously, a Test cannot be raced, if the previous Test has not been completed. Each time you race a Test, you use one Proto Key.
Tests can be automatically bypassed by paying a certain amount of Tokens ( 35 - 2,800) to use Auto-Test. However, Auto-Test should be used only as a last resort in order to avoid losing excessive amounts of Tokens. Auto-Test's cost decreases as Quality Checks are accumulated throughout the test, but cannot decrease in Ultimate AI Challenges. It is unknown exactly how the Auto-Test cost decreases with each obtained Quality Check, but a test that costs 900 to Auto-Test and requires 50 Quality Checks to pass will cost 445 when 25/50 Quality Checks have been collected.
An R&D event has at least 30 Tests and at most 65 Tests. In most cases, an R&D event has 50 Tests and 4 Labs.
When a Test is passed, Credits are always rewarded. Other rewards include Tokens, free Upgrades that can be used only for the R&D car, and R&D Pro Boxes, with three of them:
R&D Basic Kit Box (sometimes capitalized as R&D BASIC KIT BOX) - grants 3 - 7 cards usable on the car.- R&D Advanced Kit Box (sometimes capitalized as R&D ADVANCED KIT BOX) - grants 6 - 11 cards usable on the car.
- R&D Professional Kit Box (sometimes capitalized as R&D PROFESSIONAL KIT BOX) - grants 10 - 21 cards usable on the car, sometimes with the description mentioning a guarantee of the car's engine card popping up. This box is sometimes available for a limited time after a test, and can be bought for 450 - 2,400.
Between the Car Blueprints Update and the Hot Wheels Update, BP Boxes required for the car are awarded through tests.
Clearing all Tests awards the car. From the Car Blueprints Update onwards, the player instead receives the last few BP cards required for the car, after which the player can assemble the car, if they have enough BP cards required.
Ultimate AI Challenge[]
- Main article: Ultimate AI Challenge
Throughout the R&D, a special Versus race against a professional ghost AI (named the "Ultimate AI") called the Ultimate AI Challenge is frequently encountered. The player must beat the ghost AI on the track in order to either advance to the next Lab or complete the R&D event. Each Lab has at least one Ultimate AI Challenge. Most R&Ds have 6 total Ultimate AI Challenges.
A similar type of race, the Ace Race, is used in Enduro Double Down. The Ultimate AI Challenge was later reused for World Tour events.
As of the Sixth Anniversary Update, the ranks of some Ultimate AI races are now enforced, with the races being innaccessible if the rank isn't met, starting with the Pontiac Solstice GXP's R&D. Moreover, as of the 2019 Holiday Update, the older R&D events have been altered and include enforced ranks as well.
Quality Checks[]
These are acquired during a race, and appear in two main variants: checkpoint-like markers in the game, that are collected by driving through this point, similar as with Nitro power-ups, jumping over the location does not collect, and rewards depending on a specific requirement. Each marker counts as one Quality Check. The main goal also counts as one Quality Check. Any Quality Checks accumulated in excess of the requirement to complete a Test are forfeited; as such, any extra Quality Checks do not carry over to the next Test. If the main goal is failed, the collected Quality Checks can be retained by paying a fee of up to 50.
Requirement[]
A criteria allowing to acquire multiple Quality Checks as Subgoals during a race, measuring your driving skills, including:
- Collect Quality Checks (Finish race)
- Finish at least THIRD (Finish position: 3)
- Finish at least SECOND (Finish position: 2)
- Finish FIRST (Finish position: 1)
- Beat a Race Time of ##:##:###
- Get # Knockdowns (Knockdowns: #)
- Get # Knockdowns without a Wreck (Knockdowns without Wreck: #)
- Do # Flat Spins (Flat Spins: #)
- Do # Flat Spins in One Jump (Flat Spins in One Jump: #)
- Do # Barrel Rolls (Barrel Rolls: #)
- Do # Barrel Rolls in One Jump (Barrel Rolls in One Jump: #)
- Do # Tilt Jumps (Tilt Jumps: #)
- Get # s of Air Time (Total Air Time: # s)
- Drift Distance: # yd / m
- Record # Perfect Runs (Perfect Runs: #)
- Do # Perfect Nitros (Perfect Nitro Triggered: #)
- Record NO WRECKS (No Wrecks)
There are two additional goals with objectives that use any one of the above-mentioned requirements except for Collect Quality Checks, which is restricted only to the main goal. Sometimes, the additional goals may repeat the main goal, but with different numbers.
Proto Keys[]
| “ | Next Key delivery in ##:##:##. |
” |
A system similar to Fuel for Events that limit the number of races within a given time. There are maximum of three Proto Keys available, Proto Keys are made of a special material that dissolves when the key is used; after using the last one, the user has to wait 3 hours (6 hours for the McLaren 650S GT3 R&D Event, 4 hours 30 minutes for the Audi R8 e-tron Special Edition R&D and Maserati Alfieri R&D Event) before being able to race again. Unlike fuel, which restores 1 bar per 10 minutes, the Proto Keys instead restock all three at a time (the same goes for Championship Tires), and the restoration process only starts once the three keys are used up. As with fuel, Proto Keys can be restored using Tokens (up to 150 ( 180 for E-Tron Special Edition and 250 for Centenario LP 770-4) to restore all three; price decreases over time down to a minimum of 5). It is recommended to refill Proto Keys sparingly to conserve Tokens, especially towards the end of the Proto Key cooldown period in order to refill Proto Keys at the lowest cost.
Expiration[]
When the player runs out of time in any R&D event, they will be told that the R&D has expired but that all upgrades will be kept for when they own the vehicle.
R&D Events[]
Since the Enduro Update, R&D events usually occurred after the end of an Enduro Double Down event and before the next EDD event. From the Championship Update to the end of the Lunar New Year 2017 Update, R&D events followed a Championship and were followed by an EDD, in accordance with a fixed special events pattern.
- Main article: Research & Development/Events
Calendar[]
| R&D Events | Vehicles | Event Date(s) | Labs / Tests | Time Limit (Days) |
Key Refill (Hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 6 |
Lamborghini Huracán | October 1, 2015 March 9, 2016 |
3 / 30 | 15 | 1 |
| 2 9 72 |
Lamborghini Egoista | December 19, 2015 May 11, 2016 May 30, 2019 |
4 / 65 | 15 | 1 |
| 3 11 59 |
Peugeot SR1 | January 20, 2016 July 14, 2016 February 22, 2019 |
4 / 45 | 8 | 1 |
| 4 14 |
ED Design Torq | February 4, 2016 September 29, 2016 |
4 / 50 | 8 | 1 |
| 5 13 57 |
Alfa Romeo 4C | February 25, 2016 September 4, 2016 February 22, 2019 |
3 / 35 (5 / 50) |
15 | 1 |
| 7 19 32 67 95 |
BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage | March 2016 March 3rd, 2017 January 19, 2018 March 25, 2019 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 14 | 1 (2016, 2017, 2018) 1.5 (2019) |
| 8 16 |
Mosler Super GT | April 2016 November 22, 2016 |
5 / 50 | 14 | 1 |
| 10 23 49 96 |
Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe Touring Car 2014 |
June 2016 July 29, 2017 January 4, 2019 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 37 97 |
W Motors Fenyr SuperSport | August 9th, 2016 July 12, 2018 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 65 | 15 | 1 |
| 15 62 |
GT by CITROEN | October 25th, 2016 February 22, 2019 |
4 / 50 | 14 | 1 |
| 17 21 29 50 |
Arash AF10 | December 23, 2016 May 19, 2017 November 20, 2017 January 4, 2019 |
4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 18 58 |
Renault Alpine Celebration | January 25, 2017 February 22, 2019 |
4 / 50 | 10 | 1 |
| 20 60 |
Lotus Evora Sport 410 | April 25, 2017 February 22, 2019 |
4 / 44 | 9 | 1 |
| 22 41 98 |
Porsche 911 GT3 RS | June 23, 2017 September 20, 2018 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 14 12 |
1 |
| 24 77 |
KTM 1290 Super Duke R | August 23, 2017 August 1, 2019 |
4 / 50 | 7 | 1 |
| 25 | Ducati SuperSport S | September 9, 2017 | 4 / 50 | 10 | 1 |
| 26 56 |
Peugeot RCZ R | September 24, 2017 February 22, 2019 |
3 / 35 | 5 | 1 |
| 27 | Suzuki Hayabusa | October 3, 2017 | 4 / 65 | 12 | 1 |
| 28 61 99 |
McLaren 650S GT3 | October 30, 2017 February 22, 2019 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 14 | 2 |
| 30 63 |
Pagani Huayra BC | December 21, 2017 February 22, 2019 |
4 / 60 | 11 | 1 |
| 31 | BMW S 1000 RR | January 6, 2018 | 4 / 50 | 10 | 1 |
| 33 | Audi R8 e-tron Special Edition | February 12th, 2018 | 4 / 50 | 10 | 1.5 |
| 34 | Yamaha YZF-R6 | March 7th, 2018 | 4 / 50 | 7 | 1 |
| 35 45 89 |
Apollo Intensa Emozione | May 4th, 2018 November 4th, 2018 December 30, 2019 |
4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 36 46 100 |
Rimac Concept S | June 14th, 2018 December 5, 2018 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 14 | 1 |
| 38 51 70 |
Mazda RX-8 Special Edition | July 19, 2018 January 4, 2019 May 5, 2019 |
4 / 44 | 9 | 1 |
| 39 64 |
Zenvo TS1 GT 10th Anniversary Edition | August 2, 2018 February 22, 2019 |
5 / 50 | 14 | 1 |
| 40 76 102 |
Maserati Alfieri | September 13, 2018 July 25, 2019 June 1, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 10 | 1 |
| 42 | Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR my2017 | September 29, 2018 | 4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 43 | Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series | October 17, 2018 | 4 / 50 | 9 | 1 |
| 44 85 |
Hyundai i30 N | October 25, 2018 November 9, 2019 |
4 / 50 | 7 | 1 |
| 47 69 90 |
Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 | December 21, 2018 April 19, 2019 January 12, 2020 |
4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 48 94 |
Infiniti Vision GT | December 29, 2018 March 14, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 9 | 1 |
| 52 73 93 |
Nissan 370Z Special Edition | January 10, 2019 May 30, 2019 March 5, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 9 | 1 |
| 53 | Ducati XDiavel S | January 24, 2019 | 4 / 50 | 10 | 1 |
| 54 | TVR Sagaris Special Edition | February 1, 2019 | 4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 55 79 106 |
BMW i8 Coupe | February 14, 2019 August 16, 2019 July 1, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 12 | 1 |
| 65 107 |
Zeus Twelve Sigma | March 2, 2019 July 11, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 10 | 1 |
| 66 86 |
Ferrari F60 America | March 16, 2019 November 14, 2019 |
4 / 50 | 12 | 2 |
| 68 101 |
Rezvani Beast X | April 10, 2019 March 21, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 14 | 1 |
| 70 91 |
Pininfarina H2 Speed | May 9, 2019 February 1, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 71 110 |
McLaren 600LT | May 17, 2019 August 17, 2020 |
4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 74 | Aston Martin Vantage 2018 | June 20, 2019 | 4 / 50 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 75 92 |
Ford GT 2017 | July 4, 2019 February 13, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 12 | 1.5 |
| 78 108 111 |
Koenigsegg Regera | August 1, 2019 July 22, 2020 May 28, 2021 |
4 / 65 | 14 | 1 |
| 80 | Infiniti Project Black S | August 23, 2019 | 4 / 50 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 81 | Pontiac Solstice GXP | September 26, 2019 | 4 / 45 | 8 | 1.5 |
| 82 103 112 |
Rimac Nevera | October 1, 2019 June 1, 2020 June 21, 2021 |
4 / 60 | 12 | 1 |
| 83 104 |
Acura NSX GT3 Evo | October 11, 2019 June 1, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 10 | 1.5 |
| 84 | Lamborghini Aventador SVJ | October 21, 2019 | 5 / 50 | 10 | 1.5 |
| 87 105 |
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera | November 20, 2019 June 1, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 10 | 1.5 |
| 88 109 |
Ferrari 812 Superfast | December 6, 2019 August 7, 2020 |
4 / 50 | 12 | 1.5 |
^The third revival of the Arash AF10 R&D was originally meant for the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR my2017, due to reports of players receiving notifications for R&D of the Aprilia instead of Arash.
Research & Development Intro Screens[]
Push the capabilities of the [R&D boss vehicle name] to new extremes by working as an R&D driver and mastering different development tests.
Every test you complete will help you to develop perfectly engineered upgrades that will maximize your ride's potential.
Collect Quality Checks during Validation Tests to push performance beyond the limits and develop new upgrades.
Put your ride to the ultimate test by going head-to-head against an advanced AI, programmed to calculate the [R&D boss car's manufacturer name/Torq]'s ultimate/optimal path and performance, in the Ultimate AI Challenge!
For security purposes, the Proto Keys are made of a special material that will dissolve after one race. Use them wisely -- it takes time to make more!
Complete all [30-65] R&D tests within [5-15] days to get the [R&D boss vehicle name] for free, as well as other amazing rewards. All upgrades applied during tests will remain on the vehicle after the R&D process is finished.
Galleries[]
Trivia[]
- The sound effect played when collecting a reward in R&D are also reused for Championships.
- From the Elite Cars Update onwards, it is now possible to see the quote for a test in the loading screen.
- As of the Enduro Update, the sound effect played when refilling Proto Keys is no longer used when a Proto Key is used.
- As of the Enduro Update, in the race countdown, during Ultimate AI Challenges, the text that says "Ultimate AI Challenge" is now in all capital letters.
- As of the Fifth Anniversary Update, the R&D events can now feature elite vehicles.
- As of the Sixth Anniversary Update, R&Ds now force certain ranks instead of recommending them.
See also[]
- Special Projects, the Asphalt Xtreme equivalent of Research & Development