Cars 2 introduced the international World Grand Prix.
The 2011 sequel centers on a globe-spanning competition created by entrepreneur Miles Axlerod. The races take place in locations including Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London, giving the film a much broader setting than the original Cars.
Lightning McQueen enters the event, while Mater becomes involved in a spy adventure involving secret agents, advanced technology, and a conspiracy connected to an alternative fuel called Allinol. This combination shifted the sequel toward an espionage format and made Mater the story's central character.
Cars 2 was directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis. It was released in the United States on June 24, 2011, and became Pixar's twelfth feature film. The World Grand Prix should not be confused with the Piston Cup, which is the domestic racing championship featured in the first and third films.