Although debuting at the Texas Fair six weeks ago, the LA Auto Show was the international show debut of this important new production design from Toyota.

The original 1984 4Runner was little more than pick-up with a simple top, but successive generations (the new design signals the fifth generation) were proper dedicated SUVs, albeit still based on a Toyota pick-up platform.

In LA, it was clear to see how the new design embraces its robust SUV identity more than its immediate predecessors to distinguish its rugged appeal from the similarly sized, but more urban, Highlander. This can be seen in the more upright screen and near straight lines that demark the DLO, in the soft blown rectangular fender volumes and in the chunky forms of the grille and lamps. The new 4Runner also continues to have a third side window separated from the main cabin glazing by a thick body color C-pillar; a design feature unique to the 4Runner in Toyota's SUV range. The core front graphic of the 4Runner stems closely from the RAV4 and Highlander, but has a more aggressive demeanor, and the way the lamps in particular stand proud of the core body surface is reminiscent of the FJ Cruiser.

The interior shares much the same rugged identity as the exterior with a lot of near straight lines and chunky forms. Some interesting details include: the top of the instrument panel being on the same surface as the hood; an extensive overhead console interface for selecting different off-road functions; and chunky vertical elements in the center stack, steering wheel and door grabs - albeit finished in cheap silver painted plastic.

Like the Sienna that also debuted in LA, the 4Runner is another new Toyota with a more expressive and confident aesthetic than its predecessor and with an overall design consistent with its identity and position within the Toyota range. It seems Toyota is on a roll.

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Toyota Sienna - Los Angeles 2009

The Boxster Spyder differs little from the normal Boxster it is based on, but it was none-the-less an interesting new design debut in Los Angeles.

The main design difference from the standard Boxster is the Spyder's ‘bikini' roof that gives a very different silhouette: raking downwards more to the rear and extending further rearwards in a way reminiscent of the Porsche Panamericana  concept from 20 years ago and of the first generation Lotus Elise, too. The tent-like way it reaches to the red tie-down points, recessed rather crudely on the top sides of the rear deck, is also very different to the neatly integrated hood of the standard car.

The other main design difference to the standard car becomes evident when the roof is removed: the rear deck extends further forwards to reach the roll-over hoops just behind the seats with two bulges similar to those of the Carrera GT. Between the bulges is a bridge where the high level brake light is positioned and further aft on the deck is a fixed duck-tail spoiler. But these elements, and the roof tie-down points, disturb what could otherwise have been a handsome expanse of sculptural body.

Other design differences with the Spyder relative to the standard Boxster are slight: its red seat belts utilize the same material as the door pulls (saving at least 50 grams in weight), and its ultra slim front running lights and mesh side grilles round out the other very minor aesthetic changes.

It's surprising how appealingly different the bikini roofed Boxster looks given the slightness of the changes compared to the standard car. Essentially this is a very superficial variant that would have been conceived amidst the major sales slump that came with the economic downturn. But as well as being a means to draw attention to the Boxster late in its model life-cycle, the Spyder remains a fun design. This begs the question: when should we expect a 911 Spyder?