Theoretically, you could get more performance out of a smaller pack, the VW ID. R used just 43kWH to set the electric record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Ho

Theoretically, you could get more performance out of a smaller pack, the VW ID. R used just 43kWH to set the electric record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. However, that's a lightweight race car. Tesla seemed to want to make this a really livable car with lots of superlative records so by using super light construction paired with a massive battery they can build a car with incredible range (This range would be a production car record.) but that same pack can handle incredible draw. I imagine this will be like a model S on crack: It won't handle fantastic but will have hilarious power. Also, they claimed that it was using twin Model S packs in their design but were planning to move to a Model 3 evolution based pack. (The Model 3's pack is much more energy dense due to larger, better, specialized cells.)