Like its brother in arms the Hurricane was designed around the Rolls V 12 engine that was to become the Merlin.
It worked because it combined power with low frontal drag and minimum weight for its output.
After sorting out the coolant leaks and head design it ended up as an amazing power plant and could be boosted for a huge increase in performance with the availability of high octane fuel.
However there was always the issue of its cooling system getting damaged that could put you out of the game, but as required for the Hurricane and Spitfire (home defence) its advantages outweighed the possibility of a return to base or force landing.
In the end what was required when came to matter was the ability to climb to height quickly deliver an attack and get back to base ready for another go. both our fighters could do this and only needed cannons to improve their killing ability.