Professor Zündapp is the secondary antagonist of Pixar's 12th full-length animated feature film Cars 2.
He designed the EMP weapon to sabotage the World Grand Prix and served as the leader of the greedy Lemons. But it turns out he was actually Miles Axlerod's second in command and was arrested in London, United Kingdom by the British Police, he was sentenced to life in prison.
In Cars 2, when C.H.R.O.M.E. agent Finn McMissile makes his way onto one of the Lemons' oil rigs in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he attempts to secretly gather information on a suspicious weapon supposedly in Zündapp's possession. McMissile is surprised to discover it has the appearance of the camera. However, after McMissile catches a glimpse fellow agent Leland Turbo's corpse, he is discovered, and chased off the platform. McMissile manages to fake his death while successfully escaping, and the Lemons are relieved to supposedly have a dangerous enemy out of the way.
Zündapp introduces the camera to Redline.
After American C.H.R.O.M.E. agent Rod Redline is captured by Grem and Acer, he is brought to the Lemons' hideout, where Zündapp explains the purpose of the weapon, using Redline as a test subject. Zündapp introduces it as an electromagnetic pulse device, which, when reacting with Miles Axlerod's alternative fuel Allinol, will cause an explosive reaction. After the Lemons figure out who Redline gave his collection of information to, the Lemons fire the camera at full power, killing the agent.
The Lemons settle on their next target.
With Mater in possession of vital information, Zündapp orders his henchman to find the tow truck and kill him. During the first World Grand Prix race in Tokyo, the Lemons use the camera to damage the engines of the contestants, creating bad publicity for Allinol. The Lemons continue this practice through the second race in Porto Corsa. While Grem and Acer are doing so, a meeting takes place between several major Lemon crime bosses in the casino. Zündapp attends the meeting, where he further explains his plans to his allies. Deciding more work needs to be done to truly shut down Allinol, the Lemons decide to kill at least one of the remaining contestants before it's too late, and they choose Lightning McQueen because he decided to stick with Allinol despite its bad image.
Zündapp reacts to Mater's revelation.
Unbeknownst to the Lemons, Mater had been attending the meeting as well, while disguised as Ivan, one of the Lemons' tow trucks. As McQueen is his best friend, Mater objects to his murder, accidentally revealing his identity. The Lemons attack Mater, but he manages to escape the casino by use of his computer. However, as Mater is making his way to McQueen to warn him, he is captured and sprayed with gas, which causes him to pass out. When Mater awakens, he finds himself tied up in Big Ben, alongside McMissile and Holley Shiftwell. Grem and Acer explain that they have placed a bomb in McQueen's pit, and after they leave, Mater manages to free himself, and he begins making his way to Lightning's pit.
McMissile pursuits Zündapp
Meanwhile, Zündapp's henchmen are preparing to use the camera to take out McQueen. When Grem lines up the shot and attempts to fire, nothing happens, much to everyone's surprise.
When Mater arrives, his friends are rejoiced to be reunited with him, as his whereabouts have been unknown for days. As Mater explains the bomb, he discovers that the bomb is actually strapped to him, in place of his air filter. When McQueen drives up, Mater attempts to explain the situation to him, but he is not very clear, and McQueen misunderstands his statements of "I'm the bomb!" as being self-compliments. Mater attempts to drive away from McQueen, but Lightning follows him, and the two drive together until they find themselves alongside McMissile and Shiftwell, cornered by the Lemons.
At the same time McQueen chases Mater, Zündapp prepares to detonate the bomb with a remote device. When McQueen hooks onto Mater, Zündapp hits the detonator. However, due to Mater's rockets, the two travel out of range, leaving the switch unable to detonate, enraging and frustrating Zündapp. While he is angrily pressing the switch, Shiftwell comes up to him with her tasor, angry at him for tying her up and locking her in the clock tower. Frightened, he quickly starts speeding away towards his combat ship, Tony Trihull. McMissile takes pursuit from there, and as Trihull attempts to pull him in with his magnet, Finn releases magnetic detonators, blowing up the ship. McMissile captures Zündapp, and ties him up with wires.
Zündapp in captivity where he is Captured by Finn and Holley.
Before a street brawl between the C.H.R.O.M.E. agents, the Radiator Springs residents, and the Lemons, Zündapp furiously ask McQueen why the camera didn't work on him but McMissile and Shiftwell force him to deactivate the voice-activated bomb. However, they are surprised to find Zündapp truthfully revealed he was not the one who activated it, Zündapp tells the truth evily with arrogance instead of telling the truth nicelly(although he pretends to be nice and kind), which annoys Finn and Holley,he then annoyed the heroes by arrogantly asking if anyone would like to try, Holley was furious at Zündapp for trapping her in Big Ben then responds by furiously electrocuting Zündapp with the help of and for Finn McMissile(although he does not use a taser at all) says that he is getting on her nerves which is his karma because She along with Finn didn't want listen to him or talking to him, defeating him for once and for all, after the brawl he is last seen arrested by the British Police, Mater, realizing who actually activated the bomb, starts speeding toward where Queen Elizabeth and Miles Axlerod are watching the race. Mater exposes Axlerod as the mastermind behind the Lemons' plan, and he is forced to deactivate the bomb one second before it detonates. Zundapp, Axlerod, and the rest of the Lemons are arrested, and peace is restored to London.
Cars 2: The Video Game[]
Zündapp in the garage.
In Cars 2: The Video Game, Zündapp is the primary antagonist of the Hunter missions. While waves of henchman are sent to attack the player, Zündapp watches from his helicopter. On rare occasions, Zündapp's helicopter will swoop down while the Professor attempts to attack the player. A large bonus is awarded if the player manages to hit him.
Additionally, Zündapp is an unlockable playable character, available once the "Capitol View" crest is obtained. He is a light character, and focuses on speed rather than power. An alternate version of Zündapp called "Young Professor Z" can be also be unlocked by earning the "Master Agent" crest. Both versions of Zündapp have the same identical stats.
Cars 2: The Video Game (DS and 3DS)[]
In Cars 2: The Video Game (DS and 3DS), Zündapp is the primary antagonist in the game’s Story Mode. He first appears at the end of the Recon field mission where he is seen unboxing a mysterious camera. Afterwards, he supposedly discovers Finn McMissile during his escape. He then appears during the Escape mission, where he tries to blow up the bridge that Finn is trying to cross. However, his attempt is unsuccessful when the bridge appears to connect to the lower level. Approaching him while on his level will always end in failing the mission. Upon completing the mission, he is possibly the one who says the ending text (“You let him escape you fools!”).
C.H.R.O.M.E Mode[]
Additionally, Zündapp is a playable character in the game’s C.H.R.O.M.E mode. In the 3DS version, he is available right from the start. In the DS version, he must be unlocked by entering the spy code 478282.
Zündapp doesn’t appear a lot in the C.H.R.O.M.E mode, only appearing as an opponent in the Lemon Cup. However, depending on the player's choice of character, he can potentially appear as an extra opponent in the Spy Cup and the Oil Cup. Like Grem and Acer, he is equipped with the Ram ability which means he is faster on dirt than on asphalt.
Zündapp also has 2 additional themes which are his Lab Coat, which is a black and white paint job, and his Two-Tone, where he is given a darker blue-like appearance. His Lab Coat appearance can be unlocked by entering the spy code 984417 on the DS or by winning either the Germany 1 Challenge or Germany 2 Challenge in Single Race Mode on the 3DS. His Two-Tone appearance can be unlocked by completing the mission “A Closer Look” in Story Mode, making this the only appearance that is unlocked through Story Mode instead of C.H.R.O.M.E.
Kinect Rush: A Disney/Pixar Adventure[]
In Kinect Rush: A Disney/Pixar Adventure, Zündapp appears on pictures that the player has to hit to get extra points when a new goal is unlocked in the first Cars level.
In the second level, he is heard talking as he tries to stop the player and Holley Shiftwell from deactivating the bomb on Francesco Bernoulli. He makes a physical appearance in the third level. He is in the helicopter with a convoy of trucks full of bombs. Throughout the level, he tries to stop Finn McMissile and the player from finding out where the bombs are being taken. In the ending cutscene, he shoots a missile at the player while in midair, but the player dodges the missile and pushes Zündapp out of the helicopter before the missile hits the helicopter. Finn asks Zündapp if everyone is all right in there, only that he replies saying no thanks due to Finn, who then says, "No thanks required, mate. All in a day's work." When the level is completed with the player seeing their score and what they unlocked, Zündapp is seen with a parking boot, as to prevent him getting away.
General information[]
Personality and traits[]
Professor Zündapp is a cruel German scientist who likes to kill people, being arrogant and evil, He is a genius, while his henchmen are dimwits. He proved himself to be a heartless terrorist who would do absolutely anything for a quick buck.
Appearance[]
Professor Zündapp is painted two different shades of green, light, and dark. He also has a large monocle that he wears over his windshield.
Zündapp is a 1958 Kleinwagen 250, a fictional model based on the 1957 Zündapp Janus (as his name suggests), a micro-car in which back passengers sit facing backwards. He has a top speed of 50 mph (55 mph downhill), which could be reached in 12 seconds. His engine is a 2-stroke single cylinder 250 cc, with a horsepower of 14.
His license plate is BAD GA 58, which appears to be a pun on "bad guy". The 58 is the final year the Zündapp Janus was produced (1957-1958).
"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."
Cars 2: The Video Game[]
Professor Zündapp
Bio
"The intelligent, manipulative mad scientist uses his talents for evil. His weapons are as sophisticated as they are destructive. His mission is to sabotage the World Grand Prix races and destroy the racers."
Stats
Weight: Light
Speed to Power ratio: 70:30
Torque to Nitro Ratio: 0.42857142857:15
Young Professor Zündapp
Bio
"When you remove the years of villainy and rust, Professor Z is a young, bespectacled car with his sights set on world domination."
Russian: Профессор Цундапп (transcription: Professor Tsundapp)
Spanish: Profesor Zündapp
Chinese:兹博士
Vietnamese: Giáo sư Z
Ukrainian:
Професор Зундапп
Професор Цундапп
Професор Зі
Професор Зет
Професор Z
Trivia[]
When he opened the door to the lemons' meeting, he says, "Guten Tag." "Guten Tag" is German for "Good day."
Also, another German word he said is, "Wunderbar!" when he is informed by Grem that Finn McMissile is "dead". Wunderbar is a German word for "marvelous", "terrific", or "wonderful".
His voice actor, Thomas Kretschmann is German himself like his character.
Professor Zündapp appears to have a severely damaged roof rack, which gives him the appearance of a comb over.
it is possible that Zündapp was defeated after saying "would anyone else like to try" to avoid the Bomb time in Mater to reduce to zero and explode which could have killed Mater.
Although Zündapp knows Finn McMissile, Holley never says his name since she doesn't knows him at all.
It is absolutely possible that Zündapp got defeated by Finn and holley for Leland Turbo, it is possible that Finn Mcmissile thinks that Zündapp's defeat is for Leland Turbo and it is also possible that Holley thinks that Professor Zündapp's defeat is to save teach him a lesson for trapping her in the clock, however it is unknown if it is true or not.
The reason why Holley tased Zündapp is because she along with Finn McMissile are impatient with him, didn't have the time to deal with the bomb on Mater with patience and didn't want to listen or talk to him than him being treated as a joke.
Along with Grem, Acer, Miles Axlerod and Victor Hugo, Zündapp is playable in Cars 2: The Video Game, even though they are villains, as well as all five should be defeated and residing in the London Prison like the rest of the lemons, as the game takes place shortly after the second film. However, it could be that, along with the tracks, they are part of the simulation.
Zündapp is always referred to by his real name by Finn McMissile. However, McMissile refers to him as his nickname, "Professor Z", in the cutscene of the start of Cars 2: The Video Game. And although McMissile and his voice actor, Michael Caine are British, McMissile pronounces the "Z" in Zündapp's name in the American way ("Z" in America and Canada is pronounced "zee", while in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, it is pronounced "zed"). However too, it could be that the "Z" in his name is always pronounced "zee" even in Britain (when referring to Professor Z) in that cutscene. Or it could be that all people pronounce the "Z" in his name the American way. Also, although Professor Z pronounces "missile" in the British way (miss-i-all), he pronounces "can't" in the American way.
Although Miles Axlerod is the main antagonist and Zündapp's boss, Zündapp is a better weapon designer and more dangerous and drove most of the film’s plot more than Axlerod.
Although Zündapp tried to deactivate the bomb then says "I'm not the who activated it" which is possibly why he forgot to mention that it can only be activated by a car who activated the bomb, Holley nor Finn never asked him a question to know who activated the bomb if He was not the one who activated the bomb since they didn't want to listen to his last arrogant words.
He once mentioned in the meeting at the Italy arena that Allinol will really perish forever, which also means that he does not fully understand Allinol.
In reality, Allinol was regular gasoline, which was engineered to explode under the impulse of an electromagnetic beam, Rather than real new energy gasoline.
It is also possible that Professor Zündapp only focuses on destroying alternative fuels let everyone can switch back to using his Oil Rig of oil.
Pixar didn't create Zundapp's traits. His traits were given from Zil, a Russian car who was originally intended to be the main antagonist of Cars 2 before being replaced by Zündapp and Miles Axlerod.
For some reason, Professor Z's die-cast model in the 1:55 scale line hasn't been released since 2012.
Zündapp(although he is supposed to be in London Prison)appears in a turkish Cars Official Magazine comic for the 2022 Disney+ and Pixar series Cars on the Road, he appeared with two new yellow henchpitties (who are two Alza Tutto Forklifts) kidnapped Mater and The Queen of England.[1]
Unwelcome Aboard • In Plane Sight • Fast Friends • Airport Invasion • There's No Place Like Chrome • Oil Rig Showdown • Hit the Road • World Grand Prix • Runway Invasion • Porto Corsa Invasion • Objects in Mirror • Airport Showdown • Burning the Midnight Oil • Coastal Invasion • Runway Runaway • Harbor Hassle • Power Surge • London Showdown • Foe Interior • Hit or McMissile • Unfriendly Competition • Air Power • Rush Delivery • Italy Showdown • Tokyo Invasion • Save the Queen • Sour Lemons • Lightning the Mood • Home Security • Tokyo Showdown
