First look at Cars 2

  Our friends over at Disney have just released some pieces of, as they describe them, "early concept art" for the upcoming Cars sequel. The imaginatively named "Cars 2"

  Not that much is known about the film apart from the synopsis that was released at about the start of the year that says:

All the world’s a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new instalment of the “Cars” saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. “Cars 2” is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film “Ratatouille.”

“CARS 2” TO THE BIG SCREEN—AND BEYOND – It’s an international feast of epic proportions when star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and lovable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) travel to Porto Corsa, Italy, for the first-ever World Grand Prix. The pair will have to bypass the Italian Riviera’s specialties—boating, beaches and pasta al pesto—as Mater is detoured on a top-secret spy mission and McQueen must race to win against the world’s best!

“CARS 2” JETS TO JAPAN – Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new destinations when McQueen is tapped for the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. First stop, Tokyo, Japan—where ancient tradition meets modern technology. But like a modern-day Samurai, Mater must play the part of a top-secret spy when he’s unknowingly embroiled in a case of international espionage.

CARS 2” GOES GLOBAL -- Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) heads overseas next summer to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the fastest car on the planet. McQueen and his best friend Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) make a pit stop in London, but there’s no time for tea when an international spy plot entangles Mater, and McQueen must race before royalty.

“CARS 2” PASSPORT TO PARIS – There’s no place in the world like Radiator Springs, but Paris comes close! Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) venture abroad for the first-ever World Grand Prix. While McQueen focuses on the races, his best friend Mater hits a few detours. International espionage, anyone? On his top-secret mission, Mater takes the scenic route and manages to see the Parisian sights—including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the famous car-goyles of Notre Dame.

There has also been a teaser trailer for the film.

“Cars 2” hits the track on July 22, 2011, 

and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Images © Disney/Pixar