Cars 2 was the first Pixar Cars film to feature international locations across Europe.
Released in 2011, Cars 2 expands the series beyond Radiator Springs and the United States. Its story follows Lightning McQueen as he competes in the World Grand Prix, with races and events taking place in locations including Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. Mater becomes involved in a parallel spy adventure, giving the sequel a much broader international setting than the original film.
The first Cars, released in 2006, concentrates mainly on Radiator Springs and American road culture. Cars 3, released in 2017, returns its attention to Lightning's racing career and training in the United States. The shift in scale is one reason Cars 2 feels more like an action-spy adventure than a small-town sports story.
The European locations should not be confused with the World Grand Prix itself, which is the fictional competition at the center of Cars 2. The film's international itinerary is part of its setting, while the championship is the event connecting the races.