Cars 2 Character Profiles: Miles Axlerod

All people (or in this case cars) deserve a chance to turn their life around and do the right thing. Miles Axlerod is doing so by leaving behind his days of being a big oil baron, and becoming a completely eco-friendly vehicle, and creating his own alternative fuel, Allinol! It seems almost too good to be true...

Read this official description:

Miles Axlerod

Sir Miles Axlerod is a former oil baron who has sold off his fortune, converted himself into an electric vehicle and has devoted his life to finding the renewable, clean-burning energy source of the future—ultimately discovering what he believes is the fuel everyone should be using. Axlerod is also the car behind the World Grand Prix, a three-country race he created that attracts the world’s top athletes—but it’s really an excuse to show off his new wonder-fuel, Allinol.

Also, watch his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Rod "Torque" Redline

We've met British agents Finn and Holley, but there are spies from all over the world to stop the evil Professor Z and his gang of lemons. From the U.S.A. we have Rod "Torque" Redline, known to countless cars as the #1 American spy on the planet.

Read this official description:

Rod "Torque" Redline

Rod “Torque” Redline is considered by many as the greatest American spy in the world. Recruited after the Cold War for both his brains and brawn, Torque is a tough-as-nails Detroit muscle car with a mastery of disguises. In his latest deep-cover operation, he obtained vital information about the plot to sabotage the World Grand Prix. So Rod plans a rendezvous with his British counterparts to share his discoveries at the World Grand Prix welcome reception in Tokyo, Japan. But with the bad guys hot on his tailpipe, Rod is forced to ditch the intel early and with the first party guest he sees – a rusty American tow truck named Mater.

Also, check out his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Siddeley

How on Earth would Finn and Holley be able to get themselves around the globe in their top-secret missions? One answer: Siddeley the spy jet.

Read this official description:

Siddeley

Siddeley is a state-of-the-art British twin-engine spy jet. At 176 feet from nose to tail and an impressive 157-foot wingspan, the super sleek silver-bodied Siddeley streaks through international skies at record-breaking mach 1 speeds. Outfitted with all the latest in high-tech spy equipment, including cloaking technology, defensive weaponry and afterburners, Siddeley is Finn’s steadfast partner-in-fighting-crime around the globe.

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Francesco Bernoulli

Meet the fastest, handsomest, and best racer of them all...or so he thinks he is.

Read this official description:

Francesco Bernoulli

Francesco Bernoulli grew up in the shadow of the famous Monza race course in Italy where he and his friends would sneak onto the track and race the famous Pista di Alta Velocita bank turn. He was an instant winner on the amateur circuit and soon became an international Formula Racer champion. The ladies love Francesco’s open wheels, youngsters look up to his winning spirit and fellow racers envy his speed. But Francesco’s biggest fan is Francesco himself, as evidenced by his racing number. As the most famous race car in Europe, #1 Francesco is a favorite to win the World Grand Prix, which also makes him McQueen’s chief rival.

Also, check out his turtable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Professor Z

Meet Pixar's newest villian, who may seem just a tad scarier than the bad guy in Pixar's last film.

Read this official description:

Professor Z

Professor Z, aka “The Professor,” is an internationally wanted weapons designer in a small, sophisticated German package. He is a brilliant, but mad monocle-wearing scientist who is plotting to sabotage the World Grand Prix. Though his true motive is unclear, Professor Z is willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate all obstacles and keep the “project” on schedule.

Watch his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Grem and Acer

Every spy movie needs an evil sidekick, and Cars 2 has two of these to add to the troubles of McQueen and Mater.

Read these official descrpitions:

Grem

Grem is a dented, rusty orange AMC Gremlin. After years of being dismissed for his design, even being called a “lemon,” Grem has a big chip on his fender that has led him to the underworld of international espionage. As a henchman for a villainous boss Professor Z, Grem and his partner-in-crime Acer are trying to sabotage the World Grand Prix and the famous race cars competing in it. When Grem and Acer mistake Mater for an American agent with important top-secret information, the ruthless lemons set out on a round-the-globe chase to stop Mater from foiling their evil scheme.

Acer

Acer has always felt like an outcast in the car world. The beat-up green AMC Pacer joined forces with fellow “lemon” cars as henchmen for the devious Professor Z, whose clandestine mission is to wreak havoc at the highly visible World Grand Prix. Acer must hunt down the American and British secret agents who’ve stolen crucial information about Professor Z’s underhanded plot—his primary target just happens to be Mater, who’s been mistaken for a spy. Acer tries very hard to be a tough guy, but he’s over-eager compared to his no-nonsense accomplice Grem.

Watch their turntable videos:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Shu Todoroki

Shu Todoroki is the sleek Japanese racecar attending the World Grand Prix. Lately, I've found that Japan is quite an interesting country, so it is great seeing an all new Japanese character being introduced to the 'Cars' world.

Read this official description:

Shu Todoroki
Shu Todoroki is a Le Motor Prototype racer representing Japan and bearing #7 in the World Grand Prix. Shu was raised at the base of the active Mount Asama volcano in Japan, and soon became a champion on the Suzuka Circuit. His sleek design sports a fiery red Ka-Riu dragon, which Shu borrowed from Japanese legend because he relates to the small, yet fierce nature of the dragon. His team legacy is filled with victories – his coach, a Mazda, was the only Japanese car to ever win at Le Mans – and Shu hopes to prove his champion-level racing on the international stage of the World Grand Prix.

Also, check out his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Raoul ÇaRoule

Meet the World Grand Prix's French contender, Raoul ÇaRoule. Raoul sure seems like he's full of energy and ready for some serious racing, French style. Look out Lightning, I think you've got some competition!

Read this official description:

Raoul ÇaRoule
Known as the “World’s Greatest Rally Car,” #6 Raoul ÇaRoule was born in Alsace, France. A restless soul, Raoul joined the famous ‘Cirque du Voiture’ French circus where he learned Gymkhana – a graceful, drift-filled motorsport that taught him pinpoint timing and an unparalleled ability to navigate tricky courses with ease. He’s the first car to ever win nine consecutive rallies. Raoul is confident he can use his rally experience to pull ahead of his fellow World Grand Prix racers during the three courses’ touchy dirt sections, especially with his fans in the stands waving banners that read: “ÇaRoule Ca-Rules!”

Fun Fact: This is a bit obvious, but Raoul's paint job includes the colors from his nation's flag; blue, white, and red.

Also, check out his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Carla Veloso

Lightning McQueen is joined at the World Grand Prix by many different cars from all over the world. Meet Carla Veloso, a Brazilian racecar who will be competing against Lightning and many other cars in the test to see who is the world's fastest racecar.

Read this official description:

Carla Veloso
World Grand Prix contender Carla Veloso hails from Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The sweet but powerful Latin diva can dance the night away at “Car-nival,” but spends most of her time on the racetrack. After setting a new track record at the local Interlagos circuit, she was drafted to join the 24-hour endurance racing team in Europe, where she posted a consistent series of podium finishes. In the World Grand Prix, the proud Brazilian Le Motor Prototype racer is the only female in the field, and Carla is ready to prove to the world that #8 is there to win for her home country.

Fun Fact: Carla's turntable video (seen below) was animated by Pixar's Chris Chua.

Also, check out her turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Holley Shiftwell

Every great sequel has a whole bunch of fun new characters, and Cars 2 has several, including Holley Shiftwell. Holley is pretty smart, pretty purple, and I guess some cars consider her to be pretty.

Read this official description:

Holley Shiftwell
Holley Shiftwell is a beautiful young British desk agent, turned spy-in-training who’s stationed in Tokyo. Well-educated and sharp, she knows every trick in the book—or rather, she relies on every trick in the spy manual. She’s armed with the latest state-of-the-art spy equipment imaginable, from hidden cameras and concealed weapons to a telescoping utility arm and a holographic pop-up display. Holley is a highly motivated agent, but is fresh out of the academy, so her experience is based on lessons learned in school rather than real-life situations. When seasoned international spy Finn McMissile requires Holley’s technical expertise for his latest top-secret field operation, she finds herself pursuing a rendezvous with the most unlikely candidate—Mater, an innocent caught up in the intrigue, who is mesmerized by the beauty of his newest friend.

Fun Fact: The British Holley Shiftwell is voiced by the British actress, Emily Mortimer.

Also, watch her turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Finn McMissile

Introducing...Finn McMissile: British intelligence. Finn is a sleek, super cool car, and a master at international espionage. He is loaded with a bunch of cool weapons including missiles, hence the name Finn McMissile.

Read this official description:

Finn McMissile
Finn McMissile is a master British spy. Though charming and eloquent, it’s his stealth maneuvering, intelligence and years in the field that enable him to thwart unexpected attacks from bad guys, making quick daredevil escapes.. Finn’s design is sleek and timeless, but he’s also prepared for any tricky situation with an arsenal of ultra-cool gadgets and weaponry, including front and rear grappling hooks, a missile launcher, deployable magnetic explosives and a holographic disguise emitter. As a seasoned professional in the game of international espionage, Finn believes there is a conspiracy brewing during the World Grand Prix. His clandestine work surrounding the global exhibition race puts him on a collision course with Mater, whom he mistakes for an undercover American agent with a genius disguise.

Fun Fact: In Toy Story 3, Finn McMissile can be spotted in Andy's bedroom! Didn't see him? Look again, he's on one of the posters on the wall!

Also, check out his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Mater

And now, the second installment of my Cars 2 Character Profiles series! This post is all about the rusty but trusty tow truck we all know as Mater! Mater is Lightning's best friend, the heart and soul of Radiator Springs, and now...an international spy?

Read this official description:

Mater
In the now popular tourist destination of Radiator Springs, the rusty old tow truck Mater has a number of roles, including proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage, grand storyteller and the heart and soul of the town. But Mater’s favorite title is best friend to Lightning McQueen. Mater values each and every dent he’s earned on his escapades with Lightning over the years, and anxiously awaits further fun with his friend when Lightning returns with his latest Piston Cup.

Cheerful, honest and loyal to a fault, Mater rushes to his best friend’s defense, which ultimately lands the off-duty Lightning in an international racing exhibition: the World Grand Prix. When Lightning invites Mater to come along as a member of his pit crew, Mater leaves Carburetor County for the first time ever.

Not long after their arrival in Tokyo, Mater learns that the world outside of Radiator Springs is decidedly different and its newfangled ways may take some getting used to. But when he’s mistaken for an American secret agent, he falls into an intriguing adventure of his own. Caught between supporting his best friend on a globe-trotting racing competition and his new role in international espionage, Mater ends up in an explosive chase through the streets of Tokyo and Europe alongside a team of British spies and international bad guys.

Fun Fact: Before being given the name Mater, this tow truck went by the name of Zeb.

Also, check out his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles: Lightning McQueen

The first installment of my Cars 2 Character Profiles is on none other than Lightning McQueen!! We all know him as the red rookie hotshot racecar from Cars, but his life has changed a little since the first film.

Read this official description:

Lightning McQueen
Number 95 Lightning McQueen is still a hotshot racecar, but his rookie days are past him. Now a permanent resident of Radiator Springs, Lightning has become a bona fide worldwide celebrity as winner of four Piston Cups.

After his latest win, Lightning returns home to enjoy life in the slow lane for a while with sweetheart Sally, best friend Mater and the rest of his Radiator Springs family. His off-season is unexpectedly cut short when Mater inadvertently prompts Lightning to enter the World Grand Prix, a high profile, three-part exhibition race that will take him around the globe.

With a fresh custom paint job and real, working headlights, Lightning sets off to Japan, Italy and England with Mater in tow for the adventure of a lifetime. But competing against the fastest cars in the world tests more than his racing skills when Lightning realizes his wide-eyed best friend may not be the pit chief nor ambassador he needs to navigate the unfamiliar international terrain.

Fun Fact: Lightning McQueen was named after Canadian Pixarian, Glenn McQueen.

Also, check out his turntable video:

Cars 2 Character Profiles!

Cars 2 is already 5 months away, and that time goes by really fast. I remember last year counting down to Toy Story 3, and the next thing I know, I'm sitting in a movie theater watching it on June 18! Since it's only a few months until Pixar's 12th film comes out, lately, they have been releasing a whole bunch of new images, character descriptions, and turntable videos for some of the characters! I was going to put all of this into one post, but then I realized that there are more and more of these pics, bios, and videos coming out each day, so instead of just one post, I'm going to make it into a whole series of posts, called Cars 2 Character Profiles! These may go on all the way until the release of Cars 2 itself. Who knows? But while they last, I sure hope you enjoy them!