The BEVEL by Nissan – for the man who understands life can begin at any age By ALAN GELL Automotive Journalist 1/20/07 BEVEL. If you are a man who works with carpenter tools, you immediately associate that name with a level. It’s a tool that enables you to keep bricks, stones, shelves, boards, and more “level” with a horizontal or perpendicular. The first picture that Nissan’s PR folks put in their glossy brochure about the concept BEVEL is one of carpentry tools. That’s not a mistake. One of the statements made in the brochure is, “BEVEL becomes both tool and toolbox.” I can easily understand that statement.

Guys and gals all across Texas, as well as the entire US, depend upon their vehicles for much more than simple transportation. The concept vehicle BEVEL, presented by Nissan at the Detroit Auto Show, goes one step further. This is actually being designed to carry “things” that are used in a small business, around the home or yard, and much more.

The BEVEL doesn’t look like anything else. When you try to describe it to someone, you say, “It looks sort of like a …, I mean, it resembles a…., oh, well, it has a look all its own.” And that’s true. The BEVEL has a fresh, unique, new look to it. Whether the concept design I saw will continue on to a finished product or not, I don’t know. But I hope it does. I like the low front end, the hidden LCD headlights, and the glass roof with solar panel. The BEVEL has an easy-clean utility area in the rear, a fold down working platform that isn’t really a tailgate, but acts like one. There are short overhangs in both front and rear of the vehicle. There are flared wheel wells. It has a very low height.

When you first see the BEVEL, you realize this isn’t some sort of custom-made delivery vehicle, although there are some external lines and angles that might lead you to think that. It’s just a very fresh approach to consumers who lead active and involved lives.

The BEVEL has a ribbon-styled instrument panel and uses drive-by-wire braking, steering, and throttle controls. There’s no question that it is a special vehicle for special people who are “on-the-move” and need a vehicle to keep up with their lifestyle.