  Centralization is considered as a key enabler to master the CPU-intensive
features of the modern car. The development and architecture change towards the
next generation car is influenced by ADAS, connectivity, infotainment and the
consequential need for cyber-security. There is already a high number of papers
describing future centralized E/E architectures and technical instruments for
centralization. What is missing is a methodical approach to analyze an existing
system and find its potential for centralization on the function level. This
paper introduces an approach, which serves a system designer or engineer to
abstract functions and thus enables to shape a more centralized system
architecture. The commonly known E/E architecture designs and the named
instruments of current research are the basis for this abstraction. Based on
the approach, new system architecture proposals can be set up to discuss and
outweigh advantages and disadvantages of those. The approach is validated by
applying it step by step to the inlet's derating function of a modern electric
vehicle. A following discussion points out that many different factors affect
the potential for centralization and centralization may not be the future of
every function and system in general.
