Shock absorbing device for a motor vehicle

The shock absorbing device comprises a transverse cowl skin (12) which receives the shock impact and an upper horizontal plate (14) extending opposite a fixed part of the vehicle bodywork (18). Energy absorbers (20) are interposed longitudinally between the skin and the bodywork. The cowl skin can move translationally relative to the upper plate between a rear deployed position and a front retracted position in the event of a collision.