Ram is no stranger when it comes to making special editions of its trucks with many o them appearing over the years. The majority of them are mostly styling packages that make upgrades in the name of style versus anything resembling upgraded performance credentials.

This time around, Ram is going beyond a new coat of lipstick and has introduced a new special edition that actually invests some much needed attention into performance upgrades, the all-new Ram 1500 BackCountry.

Filling a void

As is the case with some other Ram special editions we have seen lately, the BackCountry is filling a void with the package being slotted between the base Warlock and the Rebel models. The BackCountry is based on the Big Horn and will certainly make those buyers happy with what it’s bringing to the table.

As the name implies, the BackCountry is meat for off-pavement excursions and this is helped partially by a one-inch suspension lift, 32-inch  Sumitomo Falken WildPeak A/T OWL Off-Road Tires, skid plates, a rear ELocker differential, and beefier heavy duty shocks.

The truck also gets a tidy set of 18-inch satin black wheels and the wheels compliment the black-out treatment the rest of the truck gets. Unlike the Rebel X, Ram is giving buyers the choice of either the controversial 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six or the ancient but still highly sought after 5.7-liter Hemi V8 which comes with Ram’s e-Torque system. The V8 will set you back an extra $1200 but in exchange, Ram is throwing in the GT Performance Exhaust system to provide the best soundtrack possible.

BackCountry pitches frills for rugged comfort

Slip inside and you’ll notice the smaller screen with the BackCountry pitching the bigger screen seen in some of its other teammates and instead embraces a smaller infotainment system. This particular screen also doesn’t get the smaller trick screen for the front passenger but in exchange there are plenty of analog controls which si great for days when you need to wear thick gloves.

Black vinyl seats help make cleaning the inside easier and they even come with attractive white contrast stitching. The rear of the seats are equipped with the MOLLE seatback storage system and BackCountry badges are also added to provide a distinct identity (along with oher minor trim changes.)

How much?

With the Big Horn roots, the pricing structure for the BackCountry reflects its value oriented role. Buyers that choose to add the BackCountry package to their Big Horn will be asked to part with an additional $2995 on top of the cost of a Big Horn with the Level 1 or Level 2 Equipment group which causs the base sticker to add up to $62,410.

Order books for the Ram 1500 BackCountry are now open with the first units slated to enter dealer inventory later this year.

“BackCountry is another option from Ram for customers looking to get into this growing part of the market without breaking the bank,” said Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis’ head of American brands, SRT Performance, NA marketing and retail strategy. This focus on adding more options for customers to choose from is part of a broader push towards improving sales which tumbled when former CEO Carlos Tavares was in charge.