The Blizzard of Bologna was an unwelcome intrusion into our recent foray to Ferrari headquarters. The factory, actually located just outside the ancient town of Modena, is getting ready to launch the new 612 Scaglietti. This sleek 2+2 coupe is named in honor of Sergio Scaglietti, one of the company’s first coachbuilders. He was a master at sculpting aluminum forms, appropriately enough, for the new four-seater takes the lightweight metal to new levels of automotive refinement.

Designed, or if you prefer, sculpted, by Pininfarina, the 612 is the long-awaited successor to the smaller 456M. The new coupe is not just an update of the old car. It’s a new vehicle entirely.