Thanks to the good people at Pixar for today's helping of artistic loveliness in the shape of four new concept art images for Cars 2. As you can see from the pics, the sequel will take Lightning McQueen and his trusty companion, Mater, overseas to some of the world's most spectacular racing spots: London, Porto Corsa, Paris, Tokyo and Runcorn.
Okay, not so much Runcorn, but Mater and McQueen do cover some serious ground for a Race of Champions that takes place in Japan, Austria, Italy, France and the UK. En route the toothy pick-up truck gets unwittingly embroiled in some espionage shenanigans after saving the life of Finn McMissile, a British agent who we're assuming is going to look a lot like an Aston Martin DB5.
**Ratatouille **producer Brad Lewis steps behind the in-**Cars **cameras to co-direct with John Lasseter, continuing the studio's policy of promoting from within. Almost as exciting is the animated short attached to it, which, according to Lee Unkrich, will feature cameos from Toy Story characters. Go on Lee! Say it'll be Pricklepants!! Please!
Ahem. As eagle-eyed readers will know, it's not the only** Cars 2**/**Toy Story **crossover. Andy's room was adorned with a poster of Finn McMissile in Toy Story 3. See for yourself when Cars 2 is released on July 22, 2011.