Kia Picanto / Rio G4LA 1.2 Petrol Engine (Non-VVT) for Sale — South Africa

G4LA is the code Hyundai and Kia use for the 1.25-litre member of the Kappa engine family, the small four-cylinder the group designed for its city cars. It is a 16-valve twin-cam unit of 1,248 cc, and in European specification it is rated at 64 kW and 121 Nm. Kia uses it in the Picanto and the Rio, and Hyundai fits it to the i10 and i20, which is why it turns up so often in South African workshops.

This unit is listed as a non-VVT version. Kappa engines were built in more than one specification over the years, so the sensible route is to compare the engine number, sensor plugs and intake layout of your old engine with ours before it leaves.

The Kappa is light on fuel and cheap to service, which makes it a favourite with commuters, rental fleets and e-hailing drivers who cover big distances. On any used unit, check for oil consumption, listen for top-end noise on a cold start, and make sure the car's radiator and fan are working before fitting, because small engines suffer quickly when they overheat. Workshops like the G4LA because it is compact, easy to reach in the engine bay and uses service parts that every motor spares shop stocks.