diff --git a/data/stk_config.xml b/data/stk_config.xml
index 4e0de2c25..89a7cb5d9 100644
--- a/data/stk_config.xml
+++ b/data/stk_config.xml
@@ -292,16 +292,18 @@
            the orientation - if a kart is pushed in the direction it is 
            driving, it will be more (no friction from tires), while when 
            pushed to the side, hardly anything happens. 
-         bevel-factor: the X and Y coordinate of each point of the kart
-           chassis (box) are multiplied with (1-bevelX) and (1-bevelY),
-           and the Z coordinate is multiplied with (1+bevelZ). The 
-           resulting point is then added to the chassis collision shape.
-           This gives a bevelled box shape. A value of 0 for all bevel
-           coordinates disables bevelling, and uses a simple box shape.
+         bevel-factor: for each point of the chassis collision box one 
+           additional point is added, resulting in a bevelled box shape.
+           The original Z coordinate of the chassis is multiplied by 
+           1-bevelZ (i.e. the main box part of the shape is shortened).
+           The bevel point has the original Z coordinate, and the X and 
+           Y coordinates of the box are multiplied with (1-bevelX) and 
+           (1-bevelY).  A value of 0 for all bevel coordinates disables
+           bevelling, and uses a simple box shape.
            As an example, a value of 1 for x and z will result in a 
            sharp 'arrow' like shape.  -->
     <collision impulse="150" impulse-time="0.1" side-impulse="600"
-               restitution="1.0" bevel-factor="0 0 0" />
+               restitution="1.0" bevel-factor="0.3 0.3 0.3" />
 
     <!-- Kart-specific plunger and rubber band handling: max-length is
          the maximum length of rubber band before it snaps. force is
diff --git a/src/karts/kart.cpp b/src/karts/kart.cpp
index 469207497..628827cb6 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart.cpp
@@ -247,9 +247,10 @@ void Kart::createPhysics()
     const Vec3 &bevel = m_kart_properties->getBevelFactor();
     if(bevel.getX() || bevel.getY() || bevel.getZ())
     {
+        Vec3 orig_factor(1, 1, 1-bevel.getZ());
         Vec3 bevel_factor(1.0f-bevel.getX(),
                           1.0f-bevel.getY(),
-                          1.0f+bevel.getZ() );
+                          1.0f               );
         btConvexHullShape *hull = new btConvexHullShape();
         for(int x=-1; x<=1; x+=2)
         {
@@ -257,13 +258,12 @@ void Kart::createPhysics()
             {
                 for(int z=-1; z<=1; z+=2)
                 {
-                    btVector3 p(x*getKartModel()->getWidth() *0.5f,
-                                y*getKartModel()->getHeight()*0.5f,
-                                z*getKartModel()->getLength()*0.5f);
+                    Vec3 p(x*getKartModel()->getWidth()*0.5f,
+                          y*getKartModel()->getHeight()*0.5f,
+                          z*getKartModel()->getLength()*0.5f);
 
-                    hull->addPoint(p);
-                    p *= bevel_factor;
-                    hull->addPoint(p);
+                    hull->addPoint(p*orig_factor);
+                    hull->addPoint(p*bevel_factor);
                 }   // for z
             }   // for y
         }   // for x