A Ram that stands out from the flock

Fiat Chrysler is adding two special limited edition models to its Ram pickup range.

Taking the standard 1500 Crew Cab model as a starting point, Ram has thrown in a host of options and some serious paint schemes to create the 1500 Buzz Ignition Orange Sport and the 1500 Buzz Black Sport. And, with the Orange edition in particular, 'buzz' is a suitable name.

Its bright orange paintwork and body mouldings plus its contrasting similarly citrus interior stitching against the black leather means the truck truly stands out

In comparison, the Black edition is an exercise in subtlety. The Black exterior paint is matched by black alloy wheels and black front grille. Inside, the cabin is awash in black leather and even the chrome trim pieces have been given the blackened tinted treatment.

Away from color schemes, the two new editions -- each of which is limited to 1000 examples -- also get a 395hp HEMI V8 as standard, an eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission, twin exhausts and Ram's touchscreen infotainment system, including reversing camera as standard. The only major feature that doesn't come as standard is four-wheel-drive, but it is an optional extra.

Of the new models, Bob Hegbloom, President and CEO of the Ram Truck brand said that they've been developed for the customer who 'still needs a truck,' but that puts a premium on style. 'Adding limited edition Ignition Orange and Black Sport models will give our buyers a custom appearance on an already eye-catching truck,' he said. And there's the rub: the latest Ram 1500 and 3500 trucks have proven to be a huge hit with buyers and therefore its crucial that something so mass market can still offer some form of individual appeal.

The humble pickup is the most common vehicle on US roads -- Ford alone sold 753,851 F-150 pickups last year, making it the country's best-selling car of not only 2014, but for the preceding 32 years as well. But Ram isn't that far behind. Its 1500 and 3500 pickups were snapped up by 439,789 people in 2014, making it the third most popular car in the country behind the Chevrolet Silverado pickup (529,755 examples sold). That means that one in 10 cars that hit US roads over the last 12 months is either a Ford, Chevrolet or Ram pickup.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.