Cars 2 introduces the international World Grand Prix.
The 2011 sequel follows Lightning McQueen as he enters a three-race global competition organized by oil magnate Miles Axlerod. The races take place in Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London, giving the film a much wider setting than the original Cars.
The story also shifts attention toward espionage. Mater becomes involved with British agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell while a plot targets the racers using an alternative fuel. This spy-film structure distinguishes Cars 2 from the road-trip and small-town focus of Cars.
Cars 3 returns to a more traditional racing drama, centering on McQueen's competition with Jackson Storm and his mentorship of Cruz Ramirez. The World Grand Prix therefore belongs specifically to the second feature film.