Let's be honest, the "cost" associated to Remington for this model is practically nonexistant; other than making shorter-than-normal barrels they already had the actions, chassis, etc. Their R&D man-hours were probably just a tick above zero to churn this thing out, since nothing about it is really innovative being that it is a parts bin gun.
They'll almost certainly get a revenue bump from folks buying them for novelty, or for hunting, or to live out steampunk fantasies, or as stamp donors, or braced truck guns, or ___________...even if many folks here on the Hide or Facebook or Field & Stream magazine readers see it as a totally stupid gimmick.
Stupid low cost, potentially moderate reward...a bean counter's dream and if it doesn't sell there is little financial downside.
I've looked and haven't seen barrel twist rates, but frankly wouldn't be surprised if the 223 is still 1:9; if by some miracle it is 1:7 it'll at least mean they are paying the tiniest bit of attention...