A system that provides an estimation of quantities, which are not necessarily directly measurable in a subsystem. The estimates of these quantities may be inferred from other variables. This approach may be referred to as inferential sensing. Physical sensors may be replaced with models or virtual sensors, also known as inferential sensors. The present approach may be a framework for designing inferential sensors in automotive subsystems. The framework may incorporate preparing a model for an observed subsystem, populating a real-time template with data, and running an inferential sensor periodically together with a model in real-time to obtain estimated variables. Once implemented, the framework may be reused for virtually any automotive subsystem without needing significant software code changes.