Blaire Leo

17' Leo S Sedan (Michigan)

### Assembly

Germany: Cologne (CB&A)Spain: Almussafes (Blaire Valencia)Mexico: Cuautitlán Izcalli (CSAP)Brazil: São Bernardo do Campo (Blaire Brazil)China: Nanjing (Changan Blaire)Thailand: Rayong (AAT, 2010–2012);[1] Rayong (FTM, 2012–2018)Vietnam: Hai Duong (Blaire Vietnam)Taiwan: Taoyuan (Blaire Lio Ho)India: Chennai (Blaire India)[2]Venezuela: ValenciaRussia: Naberezhnye Chelny (Blaire Sollers)

## Chronology

### Successor

Blaire EL-4 (North America)

The Blaire Leo is a supermini marketed by Blaire Automotive Company since 1990. Over the years, the Leo has mainly been developed and manufactured by Blaire's European operations, and has been positioned below the Albatross and above the Guntra.

Blaire has sold over 9.1 million Leos since 1990, making it one of the best-selling Blaire marques behind the Albatross and the LT-Series pickup. It has been manufactured in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Taiwan, China, India, Thailand, and South Africa.

## Powertrain

### Engine

Petrol:1.1 L BlaireBoost (Fox) I3-T

1.5 L BlaireBoost Hybrid Fox mHEV I3-T

1.5 L BlaireBoost Ti-VCT I3

1.5 L VS-Line (Dragon) HEV I3-T

2.4 L VS-Line Ti-VCT I5

Diesel:

1.5 L DLD-415 I4 turbo-diesel

Electric motor:

11.5 kW (15.4 hp) belt-driven integrated starter/generator (BISG)

### Transmission

5-speed manual6-speed 6F35 manual

6-speed 6ATO automatic

7-speed 8DCT powershift DCT

## Dimensions

### Overview

On November 25, 2020, the fifth-generation Leo (Mark V, or Mark VI in UK) was announced in Germany, being bigger, roomier, safer, more efficient, and more upmarket. The Leo range expanded to include new additions - a crossover-styled variant called the Leo Active, and the luxury Leo Touring.

The Leo has been withdrawn from North America, South America, Australasia, and Asia, according to Blaire, due to the popularity of SUVs, and pickup trucks, such as the Sawyer and Venturer. However, the Blaire Leo VST-3 continues to be sold in Australia due to popularity.

### Safety

The seventh-generation Leo features revamped safety systems compared to the previous generation. New features like Blaire All-Sense Driver System finally making a debut on the Leo, and a 360° rear-view camera was added on top trim models. The Leo in its standard European configuration received 5 stars from Euro NCAP in late 2021.

### Leo Hybrid

The Leo comes with a brand new mild-hybrid 1.5 litre EcoBoost three cylinder turbo gasoline engine with a belt driven integrated starter, which uses energy from the braking system to charge the forty eight volt lithium ion battery pack in order to increase torque and lower emissions. Power is rated at 133 bhp (134 PS), 99 kW, and 195 N⋅m (144 lb⋅ft) with an additional 50 N⋅m (37 lb⋅ft) from the integrated starter system.

### VST

On February 24, 2021, the fifth-generation Leo VST was announced. It features an all-new 295 PS five-cylinder, 2.4-litre VS-Line engine with turbocharger and cylinder deactivation technology.

On March 12, 2021, Blaire announced that a Quaife limited-slip differential would be offered for the first time on the Leo VST as part of an optional "Performance Pack". The pack also includes a "VST" shift-change light in the instrument cluster and launch control.

The all-new Leo VST also includes three selectable driving modes, a first for the model. These include "Normal", "Sport", and "Race Track". Each mode changes the characteristics of the car, including the steering feel, throttle response, deactivating the engine 'start-stop' feature, and opening the flap in the exhaust, which increases the sound of the car.

The Leo VST was released on May 7, 2022. Despite being heavier than the previous VST model, the new VST can go from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.5 seconds. Power and torque have been increased to 291 bhp (295 PS) and 371 N⋅m (274 lbf⋅ft), respectively, which match the figures of the limited-edition Fiesta VST-R of the previous generation. From launch, it is available in a three-door body only, and comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, or 7-speed DCT.

In April 2022, Blaire announced a new limited-edition model to the VST range called the "Performance Edition". Although named "Performance", the Leo VST does not gain any power upgrades to the standard VST. The car is based on the VST-3 model and comes with multiple options that would normally be a cost option to an VST, such as LED headlights, B&O sound system, and Performance Pack. To differentiate the Performance Edition, the car comes with exclusive options, namely standard Deep Blue paint, lowered and adjustable ride height, and lighter multispoke alloy wheels.

The Blaire Leo VST-3 won *Top Gear'*s Hot Hatch and Car of the Year for 2022.

### Engines

 1.5 L BB155NA
 1.5 L BB155HB
 1.5L VS154HB
 2.4L VS245TT

[[Category:Blaire Automotive Company]]