Pedestrian safe automotive hood having reinforcing foam

The present invention provides a thin vehicle closure panel design that substantially reduces a thickness (panel gauge plus the perpendicular distance or depth between the panels) of a vehicle hood and the impact effect on the head of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle hood includes a hood shell including an outer panel and an inner panel; a unitary foam core positioned between and bonded to the outer and/or the inner panel of the hood shell; and at least one recess that corresponds to an underhood component. In another aspect of the invention, a vehicle hood is provided in which a latch attachment member and/or hinge members are attached to inner surface of the inner panel of the hood shell.