A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle; and an actuation mechanism mounted on at least one of the support plate or the body and coupled to either the closure panel or the mounting plate to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from a home position to an extended position; wherein the latch is moved from the home position to the extended position when mounted on the mounting plate. The latch travel mechanism also has a locking member mounted on the support plate and configured for retaining the mounting plate in a home position when engaged with the one or more linkages and for disengaging from the one or more linkages when operated.