Professor Zündapp

Professor Zündapp
Series information
Appearance	Cars 2
Portrayed by	Thomas Kretschmann

thumb|right|300px Professor Z, short for Zündapp, is the secondary antagonist in Cars 2.

Cars 2

"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."

During the film, it is learned that the Professor is not the main villain nor is he the leader of the lemon cars. As it turns out, he is actually working for Miles Axlerod, who he thinks is a mastermind lemon, since Miles disguises himself. Since Professor Z is a scientist, Miles has him invent an electro magnetic pulse device which is disguised as a World Grand Prix camera, to use on the racers that use the gas Allinol. This was all part of a plan to turn the world against alternative energy and have all cars rely on gasoline, bringing profits to the lemon cars and himself due to the fact that they own the largest untapped oil reserves in the world.

In the end, Professor Z is missing his monocle, tied by Finn McMissile and tazed by Holley Shiftwell. He ultimately is arrested in London.

Specifications

• Top Speed: 50 mph
• 0 - 50 mph: 12 seconds
• Engine Type: 2-stroke single cylinder 250 cc
• Horsepower: 14

Trivia

• He is modeled as a Zündapp Janus, a micro-car in which back passengers sit facing backward.
• His license plate is BAD GA 58, which appears to be a pun on "bad guy". The 58 is one of the years the Zündapp Janus was made (1957-1958).

Gallery

Professor Z with Vladimir Trunkov, Tubbs Pacer, Victor Hugo, and J. Curby Gremlin

Professor Z's final fate

Early Concept Art

Model Design

Concept Art

Professor Z with Rod "Torque" Redline