"The ELITE 600 is a superior high-performance bicycle that incorporates the best elements of Super Sport technology at a "Best Buy" price."
                                                            ~~ 1987 Catalog Quote ~~

The Elite 600 was a completely new bicycle for 1987 and shared frame geometry with the 1987 Lotus Legend; although unlike the Legend, the Elite 600 used vertical drop outs, Tange #2 tubing, and conventional seat stay attachment. Not counting the aluminum frame Lotus Esprit, the Elite 600 was one model underneath the Legend in the steel frame Super Sport Triathlon Series hierarchy; Legend, Esprit, Elite 600, Leger, Classique and Unique.

The Elite 600 is the steel-framed version of the aluminum Lotus Esprit and they are equipped almost identically. They were even both available in the same colors, "Coral" and "Aquamarine Blue"; however, the Esprit did not share the same two-tone black painted head and seat tube as the Elite 600.

Except in name, this bicycle is not related to the earlier Lotus Elite (VST-1) or the Elite Grand Prix.

The Elite 600 was designed and named for the use of the Shimano 600 EX SIS group and featured a Shimano Biopace crank, 13-24 freewheel and Araya SS-40 rims with 700 x 20c 125 psi Panaracer tires.

Lotus anticipated that the bike would be a popular model because of the price point and the component group, so it was available in nine sizes from 44 to 63 cm (approx. 17.25 to 25.25 inches). The 44 to 48 cm frames were fitted with Araya 20A 24 inch front wheels which eliminated the need for sloping the top tube while allowing it to be shortened to a length appropriate for most shorter women and men. In addition, the smaller frames were equipped with Dia Compe AGC Junior size levers for smaller hands.

The Elite 600 photo below was kindly contributed by a reader of VintageLOTUSbicycles , it shows the smallest size Elite 600 frame available, 44 cm, with the 24 inch front wheel. If you mouseover the image you can view an aluminum 48 cm (19 inch) Lotus Esprit with a 700c front wheel.  Both images are the same scale and aligned through the center of the crank and rear axle.  The standover height of the Elite 600 in the photo is 27.25 inches.  It's this kind of dedication to bicycle design that makes us such fans of Lotus Bicycles.