What is, a 4A-GE? The 4A-GE is a family of engines that has 1.6 litres of displacement, 4 cylinders, and is naturally aspirated (there is a supercharged variant, called the 4A-GZE, but let's focus on the 4A-GE here). The nomenclature for the engine code follows this logic: 4 - engine block version A - engine family type

Compared to the 16-valve version, the 20-valve 4AGE now has Toyota's Variable Valve Timing system (VVT) on the intake cam, and has a higher compression ratio compared to the Red Top 16-valve. The result is a more powerful engine with 155 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque.

The 20-Valve 4AGE replaced the 4AGZE Supercharged engines. Just like the early and late 16 Valve 4Ges, they also underwent revisions. The Silver Top was introduced in the Corolla AE101 (1992), and the Black Top in the Corolla AE111 (1997). Both engines used Toyota’s version of Variable cam timing- VVT.