It’s not over until Lightning strikes in the latest trailer for Cars 3

Although I don't consider the CARS franchise to be anywhere close to Pixar's best work, the series obviously has its fans and, as it's the brainchild of Pixar chief John Lasseter and brings in an obscene amount of merchandising money each year, we're about to receive a third entry in the series. Perhaps in order to win back those who threw up their hands and left after CARS 2, this new film is looking a little more mature than what came before. After a surprisingly dark teaser was released late last year, we've finally got a better look at the upcoming Pixar flick with the debut of this latest trailer.

"You will never be the racer you once were, accept it."

CARS 3 will see the legendary Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers and pushed out of the sport he loves. In order to get back in the game, he seeks the assistance of eager young race technician Cruz Ramirez and, with a little inspiration from the late Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing's biggest stage. Those of you who preferred the first CARS to the second will be happy to know that, according to John Lasseter, CARS 3 will be much closer to the first film in tone.

We’ve got some great new characters, some great racing in it, and it’s a very emotional story. It’s a little bit more akin to Cars 1, where you get into a deep emotion with him. It’s really a special story. It’s very emotional and his relationship with Doc Hudson, and his memory of Doc Hudson.

CARS 3 is set for a June 16, 2017 release.