The research presented within this paper focuses on the how the SysML can be employed to support the traditional automotive computer aided control system design (CACSD) process and in particular, how models based on higher levels of system abstraction can be used to improve the control engineers level of domain understanding. Architectural models, based on IEEE 1471-2000, are presented. In addition, a number of observations are made as to the current limitations associated with the SysML toolset and the improvements required for its future integration within a model-based automotive control environment.