Interviews With the Woman Behind Acura’s New NSX Design Reveal New Insights

Acura recently shocked the automotive industry with the reveal of the new cutting-edge NSX design at the Detroit Auto Show. Just as intriguing as the car itself was the designer behind it all. Michelle Christensen, 34, is the exterior design project leader for the NSX and the first woman to lead a supercar design team. Recent interviews with Christensen revel her experience working on Acura cars and the new Precision Concept.

In the interviews, Christensen talked about what first drew her to automotive design and how she found herself in this industry. She says it was a combination of her passion for cars and design. “I love it because it’s a challenge,” Christensen explained. “The car has to be a practical, usable thing, and meet all the requirements, but still be beautiful and emotional.” Designing Acura cars has allowed her to put this challenge to the test. 

Acura cars can be found from Utah to the East Coast, but Christensen’s one-of-a-kind design will hit the market this spring. Interviewers asked Christensen about the goals that drove the NSX design. 

Explaining how the design was inspired by the original 2012 NSX sold in Utah and elsewhere, she went on to explain that her goal was to keep the same design theme. She said, “I wanted to simplify it, and make sure the design supported the car’s performance.”

Car critics in Utah and elsewhere have said that she accomplished this goal while creating a unique “sleek and sexy” vehicle. Christensen emphasizes that the performance element is critical and wouldn’t be lost in the exterior design. 

Christensen showed a lot of enthusiasm when answering the question: “What did you want the experience to be for both the driver and the observer?” Her response was,” I wanted it to be striking. We wanted to make it more aggressive and exotic, so people say ‘Whoa, what is that!’ It has the iconic jewel-eye headlights, set really low and wide, so it looks mean coming up behind you.”

There’s no doubt that a lot of passion and dedication drove this design in a successful direction. People in Utah and elsewhere are drooling at the sharp and edgy vehicle’s new look and they have Christensen to thank. 

Christensen is proud of her decision and the future it promises for Acura cars. It’s safe to say we can expect to see more from her in the automotive industry. 

Alyssa Koenig is an automotive writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Mike Hale Acura. Follow on Twitter.