Research & Development

R&D ad.png|Generic R&D screen
R&D ad (C).png|Lunar New Year R&D screen
Winter R&D Ad.png|Winter R&D screen
600LT R&D August 2020.png|Updated R&D screen as of August 2020
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 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 ==
RD Lamborghini Huracán overview.png|Overview screen (old). Used before the Santa's Gift Update.
RD overview (v2.2.0).png|Overview screen. Used only for the Santa's Gift Update.
RD new overview.png|Overview screen (new). Used since the Lunar New Year Update. This is based on the v2.2.0 overview screen but with some changes.
RD overview (v2.3.0).png|Overview screen. Used for the Lunar New Year Update, but with a Chinese New Year theme. Exclusive to the ED Design Torq and Renault Alpine Celebration.
RD new overview (BP).png|Overview screen. Used from the Car Blueprints Update to Halloween Update, with the Blueprints counter added in.
A8 v4.0 R&D Main Screen.png|Overview screen. Used since the Holiday Update, but with the addition of an info button.
A8 Centenario R&D Theme.png|Ditto, with a winter theme. Exclusive to the Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4.
A8 Winter R&D Locked Upgrades.png|Upgrades screen showing locked upgrades. Shown with a winter theme.
=== Lab ===
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 () 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 to Auto-Test and requires 50 Quality Checks to pass will cost 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:
* (sometimes capitalized as R&D BASIC KIT BOX) - grants 3 - 7 cards usable on the car.
* (sometimes capitalized as R&D ADVANCED KIT BOX) - grants 6 - 11 cards usable on the car.
* (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 .
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 ===
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 .
==== 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 ===
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 ( for E-Tron Special Edition and for Centenario LP 770-4) to restore all three; price decreases over time down to a minimum of ). 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.
RD Race Info.png|Race Information Screen (old)
RD Race Start.png|Pre-race
R&D in-game.png|Gameplay (pre-Lunar New Year 2017 Update)
R&D in-game (New).png|Gameplay (post-Lunar New Year 2017 Update + Lunar New Year theme)
RD Race Result.png|Race Result
20161205 013701000 iOS.png|Rewards
A8 Winter R&D Pre-Race Screen.png|Pre-race screen, with a winter theme.
A8 Winter R&D Race Loading Screen.png|Loading screen, showing the quote and test goals, with a winter theme.
A8 Winter R&D Race Countdown.png|Pre-race countdown in an R&D test, with a winter theme.
A8 Winter R&D Post-Race Result Screen.png|Race result screen, with a winter theme.
A8 Winter R&D Test Reward Screen.png|Rewards screen, with a winter theme.
=== Expiration ===
IMG 1287.PNG|Expiry of generic R&D
LNYR&DTimeout.jpg|Expiry of Lunar New Year R&D
Screenshot_20190102-105733_Asphalt_8.jpg|Expiry of Winter R&D
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.
=== Calendar ===
R&D Events	Vehicles 	Event Date(s) 	Labs / Tests 	Time Limit(Days)	KeyRefill(Hours)
16 	Lamborghini Huracán 	October 1, 2015March 9, 2016 	3 / 30 	15 	1
2972 	Lamborghini Egoista 	December 19, 2015May 11, 2016May 30, 2019 	4 / 65 	15 	1
31159 	Peugeot SR1 	January 20, 2016July 14, 2016February 22, 2019 	4 / 45 	8 	1
414 	ED Design Torq 	February 4, 2016September 29, 2016 	4 / 50 	8 	1
51357 	Alfa Romeo 4C 	February 25, 2016September 4, 2016February 22, 2019 	3 / 35(5 / 50)	15 	1
719326795 	BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage 	March 2016March 3rd, 2017January 19, 2018March 25, 2019March 21, 2020	4 / 50 	14 	1 (2016, 2017, 2018)1.5 (2019)
816 	Mosler Super GT 	April 2016November 22, 2016 	5 / 50 	14 	1
10234996 	Mercedes-AMG C 63 CoupeTouring Car 2014 	June 2016July 29, 2017January 4, 2019March 21, 2020 	4 / 50 	12 	1
123797 	W Motors Fenyr SuperSport 	August 9th, 2016July 12, 2018March 21, 2020 	4 / 65 	15 	1
1562 	GT by CITROEN 	October 25th, 2016February 22, 2019 	4 / 50 	14 	1
17212950 	Arash AF10 	December 23, 2016May 19, 2017November 20, 2017January 4, 2019 	4 / 60 	12 	1
1858 	Renault Alpine Celebration 	January 25, 2017February 22, 2019 	4 / 50 	10 	1
2060 	Lotus Evora Sport 410 	April 25, 2017February 22, 2019 	4 / 44 	9 	1
224198 	Porsche 911 GT3 RS 	June 23, 2017September 20, 2018March 21, 2020 	4 / 50 	1412 	1
2477 	KTM 1290 Super Duke R 	August 23, 2017August 1, 2019 	4 / 50 	7 	1
25 	Ducati SuperSport S 	September 9, 2017 	4 / 50 	10 	1
2656 	Peugeot RCZ R 	September 24, 2017February 22, 2019 	3 / 35 	5 	1
27 	Suzuki Hayabusa 	October 3, 2017 	4 / 65 	12 	1
286199 	McLaren 650S GT3 	October 30, 2017February 22, 2019March 21, 2020 	4 / 50 	14 	2
3063 	Pagani Huayra BC 	December 21, 2017February 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
354589 	Apollo Intensa Emozione 	May 4th, 2018November 4th, 2018December 30, 2019 	4 / 60 	12 	1
3646100 	Rimac Concept S 	June 14th, 2018December 5, 2018March 21, 2020 	4 / 50 	14 	1
385170 	Mazda RX-8 Special Edition 	July 19, 2018January 4, 2019May 5, 2019 	4 / 44 	9 	1
3964 	Zenvo TS1 GT 10th Anniversary Edition 	August 2, 2018February 22, 2019 	5 / 50 	14 	1
4076102 	Maserati Alfieri 	September 13, 2018July 25, 2019June 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
4485 	Hyundai i30 N 	October 25, 2018November 9, 2019 	4 / 50 	7 	1
476990 	Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 	December 21, 2018April 19, 2019January 12, 2020 	4 / 60 	12 	1
4894 	Infiniti Vision GT 	December 29, 2018March 14, 2020 	4 / 50 	9 	1
527393 	Nissan 370Z Special Edition 	January 10, 2019May 30, 2019March 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
5579106 	BMW i8 Coupe 	February 14, 2019August 16, 2019July 1, 2020 	4 / 50 	12 	1
65107 	Zeus Twelve Sigma 	March 2, 2019July 11, 2020 	4 / 50 	10 	1
6686 	Ferrari F60 America 	March 16, 2019November 14, 2019 	4 / 50 	12 	2
68101 	Rezvani Beast X 	April 10, 2019March 21, 2020 	4 / 50 	14 	1
7091 	Pininfarina H2 Speed 	May 9, 2019February 1, 2020 	4 / 50 	8 	1.5
71110 	McLaren 600LT 	May 17, 2019August 17, 2020 	4 / 60 	12 	1
74 	Aston Martin Vantage 2018 	June 20, 2019 	4 / 50 	8 	1.5
7592 	Ford GT 2017 	July 4, 2019February 13, 2020 	4 / 50 	12 	1.5
78108111 	Koenigsegg Regera 	August 1, 2019July 22, 2020May 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
82103112 	Rimac Nevera 	October 1, 2019June 1, 2020June 21, 2021 	4 / 60 	12 	1
83104 	Acura NSX GT3 Evo 	October 11, 2019June 1, 2020 	4 / 50 	10 	1.5
84 	Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 	October 21, 2019 	5 / 50 	10 	1.5
87105 	Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 	November 20, 2019June 1, 2020 	4 / 50 	10 	1.5
88109 	Ferrari 812 Superfast 	December 6, 2019August 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 ===
<tabber> Normal = 
R&D intro 1.png
R&D intro 2.png
R&D intro 3.png
R&D intro 4.png
R&D intro 5.png
R&D intro 6.png
|-| Chinese New Year = 
R&D intro 1 (C).png
R&D intro 2 (C).png
R&D intro 3 (C).png
R&D intro 4 (C).png
R&D intro 5 (C).png
R&D intro 6 (C).png
|-| Motorcycles = 
R&D intro 1 (M).png
R&D intro 2 (M).png
R&D intro 3 (M).png
R&D intro 4 (M).png
R&D intro 5 (M).png
R&D intro 6 (M).png
|-| Winter = 
R&D intro 1 (W).png
R&D intro 2 (W).png
R&D intro 3 (W).png
R&D intro 4 (W).png
R&D intro 5 (W).png
R&D intro 6 (W).png
</tabber>
 
== 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
Category:Research & Development
Category:Special events
Category:Research & Development Update
Category:Asphalt 8: Airborne