Cars 2 features the World Grand Prix and an international espionage storyline.
Released in 2011, the sequel sends Lightning McQueen and Mater overseas for a three-race competition created by oil magnate Sir Miles Axlerod. Mater becomes involved with British spies Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell after being mistaken for an undercover agent.
The film moves far beyond Radiator Springs, visiting locations modeled on Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. Its action combines racing with spy-movie conventions, making Mater the central viewpoint character rather than focusing mainly on Lightning’s personal growth.
Cars 2 is distinct from Cars 3, which returns to a more traditional racing and mentorship story. It was the second feature film in the Cars series and Pixar’s twelfth feature overall.