What is the full name of the villain Professor Z in Pixar’s Cars 2?

The villain known as Professor Z in Pixar’s Cars 2 is Professor Zündapp.

Professor Zündapp is an elderly German scientist and a leading figure in the film’s espionage plot. He works with Miles Axlerod’s scheme to discredit the World Grand Prix’s alternative fuel by making Allinol appear dangerous. The character’s name references the historic German Zündapp motorcycle company.

In the English-language film, his name is pronounced and presented as Professor Z, which can make the full surname easy to miss. His design is based on a small German car, and his role deliberately evokes classic spy-film villains and eccentric scientific masterminds.

Cars 2 combines racing with international espionage, so Professor Zündapp is not simply a competing driver. Miles Axlerod is the film’s central mastermind, while Zündapp serves as the scientist and technical operator supporting the plot.