Cars 3 looks to be taking a dark new turn with things looking grim for Lightning McQueen

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Disney Pixar has just released a teaser trailer for Cars 3 and it doesn't look pretty for Lightning McQueen.

Instead of going with the usual comedic and fluffy fare that comes with the Cars movie franchise, Disney has taken a very dark turn with its latest Cars 3 teaser trailer.

Will Lightning Mqueen survive after this trailer? Photo / Pixar

The 45-second trailer features realistic, grim shots of cars racing past the cameras, with the sound of a heart slowly beating in the background.

At the end, there is a "hold your breath" moment when Lightning McQueen is seen being lifted in the air with debris scattering over the track. Before he can land though a message flashes on screen warning: "From this moment, everything will change".

The trailer has received mixed reactions, with people on Twitter saying it was "too intense" or left them with goosebumps.

See Im not even shocked by #Cars3 it looks better than before! XD GG for taking a risk Pixar!

— Callam (@ImCallamHi) November 22, 2016

That #Cars3 teaser left me SHOOK. WHY WAS IT SO INTENSE???

— mac kahey (@MacDoesIt) November 21, 2016

Wasn't a fan of the second film. The third needs to get back to what made the first appealing. #Cars3

— Michael™ Agent Of SHIELD (Level 7) (@SecretAvenger22) November 21, 2016

#Cars3 looks really dark. I'm actually scared.

— Christian Alston (@chrisalston712) November 21, 2016

The original Cars did well at the box office in 2006 as the movie grossed $653 million and was nominated for two Academy Awards. Five years later, Cars 2 made $794.3m, but the reception was not as positive as the first film.

Cars 3 will be coming to New Zealand screens on the July 22, 2017.