There was much hullabaloo?at least within the industry?when Mercedes-Benz introduced a host of high-tech active safety features and a high-def dashboard display in the 2017 E-class before those same bits hit the range-topping S-class. Traditionally, Benz’s latest and greatest technologies have come to market on the S-class before trickling down to lesser models?but things are moving too fast for that rollout strategy these days. That doesn’t mean the S is left out, for we’ve learned that the biggest Benz sedan will gain the E’s for-now-exclusive gear soon enough.

According to Mercedes, the E-class’s Drive Pilot semi-autonomous tech (the ability to drive itself on highways for up to 60 seconds at a time and execute autonomous lane changes, late-availability enhanced self-parking system, and Active Emergency Stop Assist, which brings the car to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive) will run uphill to the S-class when the larger sedan is refreshed in a year or two. Furthermore, Benz hinted that the S-class could also receive the E-class’s stunning high-def 12.3-inch dashboard display (and an optional second 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, wireless phone charger, and nifty steering-wheel touch control buttons?and possibly “more.” After all, the S-class should have at least a few new tidbits, right" More relevant to the 99 percent are Benz’s other hints that the E-cl...