Benchmarking
Benchmarking is the 1st step in the predesign and development process of vehicle development process. In simple words the term 'benchmarking' is a technical jargon for the word 'comparison'. Benchmarking process is broadly classified into two categories: Benchmarking-1 and Benchmarking-2. There are two stages which connect both categories of benchmarking as will be detailed further.
Benchmarking-1 includes comparisons that are made in terms of the vehicles already available in the market with the vehicle to be developed. The comparison includes list of features, specifications such as dimensions, engine size, fuel options, transmission types offered and other factors such as ex-showroom cost, maintenance cost and other benefits extended to customers like warranty, service/maintenance packages, insurance discounts etc.
With respect to the information obtained from Benchmarking-1, concept preparation is done. This includes specifying the seating capacity- 5 or 7 seater, size:- sub-4 meter or above 4 meter, dimensions, body style:- sedan or SUV, engine size etc. of the vehicle.
After this a carry-over study is conducted and it refers to identifying an already avaliable vehicle or a previously existing vehicle of the OEM as a predecessor or parent and then using the selected features and specifications from the predecessor on the vehicle to be newly developed. This study is also used to develop facelifted version of an already exisiting vehicle in the market. The basic aim of this study is to remove drawbacks from the predecessor or parent and incorporate improvements in those parameters to the newly developed or facelifted vehicle, as the case maybe.
Then comes Benchmarking-2 where the required parts from the predecessor vehicle are identified to be included in the newly developed or facelifted vehicle. This stage gives an idea on what parts or components from predecessor are to be used and provides an estimate on the capital to be invested for production of new parts or components for the vehicle. Benchmarking-2 also allows the OEM to decide whether same set of parts or components for newly developed or facelifted vehicle can be used for other vehicle models in the OEM's product portfolio.
Case Study:-
Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii has a family of 5 including him and he is fond of big cars. He would be using the car to commute from Bangalore to Madurai and return back and also for his commutes to office in Bangalore. A suitable segment for this requirement will be the mid-size sedan segment as the cars in this segment can comfortably seat 5 members and are bigger in size too. The mid-size segment also meets the budget requirement of Mr. Pughazhyendhii as there are cars available in the price range of 8-10 lakh INR on-road in the city of Bangalore for this segment. The following are the cars meeting the given criteria.
1. Maruti Suzuki CIAZ
The base variant of CIAZ, which is the 'Sigma' is available at an on-road price of 9.6-9.8 lakh INR in Bangalore.
The following are its specifications.
Engine: 1462 cc Petrol with mild-hybrid, Gearbox: 5-speed manual, Max. Power: 103.25 bhp, Max. Torque: 138 Nm, Mileage: 20.65 kmpl (highway) / 17.5 kmpl (city)
Dimensions:-
Length- 4490 mm, Width- 1730 mm, Height- 1485 mm, Wheelbase- 2650 mm, Boot space: 510 Litres, Fuel tank: 43 Litres
2. Skoda RAPID
The base variant 'Rider' of the RAPID is avaialble at an on-road price of 8.8-9.0 lakh INR in Bangalore. 
Its specifications are as follows.
Engine: 999 cc Petrol with turbo-charger, Gearbox: 6-speed manual, Max. Power: 108.62 bhp, Max. Torque: 175 Nm, Mileage: 18.97 kmpl (highway) / 14.3 kmpl (city)
Dimensions:-
Length- 4413 mm, Width- 1699 mm, Height- 1466 mm, Wheelbase- 2552 mm, Boot space: 460 Litres, Fuel tank: 55 Litres
3. Toyota YARIS
The base variant 'J' of the YARIS is avialable at an on-road price of 10.1 lakh INR in Bangalore.
The specifications are as follows.
Engine: 1496 cc Petrol, Gearbox: 6-speed manual, Max. Power: 105.9 bhp, Max. Torque: 140 Nm, Mileage: 17.1 kmpl (highway) / 14 kmpl (city)
Dimensions:
Length- 4425 mm, Width- 1730 mm, Height- 1495 mm, Wheelbase- 2550 mm, Boot space: 476 Litres, Fuel tank: 42 Litres
4. Hyundai VERNA
The base variant 'E' of the VERNA costs on-road at around 10 lakh INR in Bangalore. 
The following are the specifications.
Engine: 1497 cc Petrol, Gearbox: 6-speed manual, Max. Power: 113 bhp, Max. Torque: 144 Nm, Mileage: 17.1 kmpl (highway) / 14.3 kmpl (city)
Dimensions:
Length- 4440 mm, Width- 1729 mm, Height- 1475 mm, Wheelbase- 2600 mm, Boot space: 480 Litres, Fuel tank: 45 Litres
Conclusion:
All of the 4 vehicles come equipped with power steering, power windows for all the 4 doors, central-locking system and air-conditioning unit. Baring the YARIS all other get rear AC vents for comfort of occupants seated at the rear. All of them have brakes equipped with ABS (Antilock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). Driver and co-passenger airbags are standard across all 4 vehicles.
The CIAZ stands out of all vehicles with a comparatively higher length and wheelbase that it offers. Higher length translates into a boot space of 510 Litres for the car, highest among all 4 vehicles, which will be handful in loading ample amount of luggage when Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii travels to Madurai with his family. The larger wheelbase ensures more legroom for the occupants making longer distance travels convenient. With a height of 1485 mm, though a bit lower than the YARIS, the CIAZ ensures good headroom for the occupants.
On the performance front the CIAZ gives max torque of 138 Nm and max power of 103.25 bhp. These figures are compartively lower than what the other 3 cars offer. However, max. torque of 138 Nm is high enough to drive in city traffic without frequent gear shifts, something that will ensure convenience to Mr. Pughazhyendhii during his commute to the office in the highly congested traffic of Bangalore city. Max. power of 103.25 bhp is equally good while cruising the highways and will help Mr. Pughazhyendhii in his travel to and from Madurai.
The fuel tank capacity of 43 Litres on the CIAZ is not the highest, trailing behind the VERNA (45 Litres) and the RAPID (55 Litres). In terms of mileage, it leads the lot with a range of 20.65 kmpl (highway) / 16.5 kmpl (city). Also the car comes built with mild-hybrid system which provides idle start-stop, enables regenerative braking and assists in torque generation during the drive thus enabling higher fuel efficieny. This results in less spending on fuel for commutes, both in Bangalore city and while travelling to Madurai 500 km off. The on-road price is a bit higher than the RAPID, but the CIAZ, in terms of catering to all the requirements, seems to be the car which Mr. Pughazhyendhii should opt for his family!