Deployable hinge for pedestrian protection vehicle hood

A device for raising the hood of an automotive vehicle to increase the amount of space between the hood and underhood components to increase the energy absorbed by the hood during collision with a pedestrian. A pivot secured to the vehicle body structure engages a slot in a hinge secured to the hood. During normal vehicle operation, the pin is retained in a pin retention pocket at an upper end of the slot, and the slot narrows at a neck portion immediately below the pin retention pocket to prevent the hood from being lifted upwardly. A powered deployment cylinder is activated by a pedestrian impact detection system and urges the hood and the hinge upward relative to the body structure, the pivot sliding downward in the slot. The cylinder applies sufficient upward force to hood and/or hinge to force the pivot through the neck portion of the slot. When in the raised position, a larger diameter section of the pin engages the slot in an interference fit to provide resistance to movement of the hinge and hood downward toward the normal position.