The Hawker Typhoon and later the Tempest both powered by the Napier Sabre engine, brought an increased combat capability to the RAF in WW2, to face the advanced designs coming into service with the Luftwaffe. It was not enough to match the German combat capabilities, as for success Britain had to exceed the performance of the enemy fighters.
With the technology of the Hurricane being at the end of the biplane combat aircraft era, there was an urgent requirement for a modern fighter with a capability ahead of the anticipated German fighter development for the Luftwaffe.