Cars 2 takes Lightning McQueen to the World Grand Prix.
Released in 2011, Cars 2 follows McQueen as he enters an international racing competition created by Sir Miles Axlerod. The World Grand Prix visits Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London, giving the film a much broader setting than the original Cars.
Mater travels with McQueen and is mistakenly drawn into a spy mission involving Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell. This makes Mater central to the story rather than simply a supporting friend. The plot combines racing with secret-agent adventure and an alternate-fuel conspiracy.
Cars 2 was directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis. It was the second feature film in the Cars franchise and Pixar’s twelfth feature overall. Unlike Cars 3, which returns to McQueen’s personal racing career, Cars 2 emphasizes international action and espionage.