It is the original part for the VW Passat b5.5 V6, 2.8l. The item looks too big when just placed in its placed at the beginning of installation. There is a small trapezoidal portion of the gasket that looks like it won't fit however it has to be compressed with the head cylinder cover when screwed in order to fit appropriately. I went and purchased another gasket from a local auto parts store and had exactly the same part number. Only then i was convinced that I had the right part and used the one from AutoPartsWAY since it was cheaper.