What make of car is Professor Z in Pixar’s Cars 2?

Professor Z in Pixar’s Cars 2 is a Zündapp.

Professor Z, whose full name is Professor Zündapp, is a small German car and one of the film’s antagonists. He works with the criminal group behind the plot to sabotage the World Grand Prix and manipulate public opinion about Allinol fuel.

The character’s design is based on the Zündapp Janus, a compact German microcar produced in the 1950s. The Janus had an unusual layout, with passengers entering through doors at both the front and rear of the vehicle.

Professor Z is often remembered simply as “Professor Z,” which can make the vehicle reference easy to miss. He is separate from Miles Axlerod, the organizer of the World Grand Prix and the central figure behind the conspiracy.