Mercedes-Benz kicked off production of the S-Class W222 a little over three years ago, so naturally the fullsize sedan is now getting ready to receive a mid-cycle refresh as it faces the new BMW 7 Series and the forthcoming Audi A8.

The attached spy footage comes to reveal the interior cabin which will go through a few minor updates, with the most important one noticeable on the upper side of the dashboard where the two 12.3-inch digital displays are no longer separated by buttons. The screens of the instrument cluster and infotainment system have both been incorporated in a glass casing which lends the dashboard layout a more cohesive look.

Mercedes has been testing the facelifted S-Class for quite some time, but even so the company’s range-topping model won’t come out sooner than next year as a 2018MY. When it will hit the market, the posh sedan will allegedly receive an array of newly developed straight-six engines which were originally slated to debut on the new E-Class.

In terms of exterior design, we are not holding our breath for any important changes since MB is probably playing it safe by taking the evolutionary route, as it’s doing with the interior of its crown jewel. The video below shows a prototype with very little body disguise, thus indicating the cosmetic surgery will be minor.

With the S Class being the pinnacle of Daimler’s engineering, the facelift will come loaded with the best Mercedes has to offer as far as safety and assistance systems are concerned. Some of the goodies have already debuted in the new E, but it would make sense for the S to come loaded with even more technology to match the car's flagship status.

It was May 2013 when Mercedes announced plans for a self-driving car due to arrive before the next-gen S-Class slated for 2021. With Uber reportedly ordering 100,000 autonomous S-Class units to go into service around 2020, there are enough reasons to believe the refreshed S will aim to be at the forefront of autonomous driving technology.