Pinking and ron
Pinking could occur at low or high revs as well.
A couple of years ago I sold our VW Passat 1.8T with BSR Stage 3 package to a friend. It was recommended by the tuning supplier (BSR) to run on 98 ron which I pin pointed to the buyer.
After about a year she experienced engine stop after acceleration and immediately braking at idling.
I talked to a guy who works with tuning. He said ask her if she uses 95. I did and the answer was yes, since a while she did. After using 98 again everything went back to normal. No known harm done.
The reason was that the steering unit/sw reversed the ignition so much to avoid pinking and the unit/sw wasn’t fast enough to forward it when idling so it stopped. He also said that a newer cars would do the adjustment faster so perhaps you don’t notice it more than the lack of performance. Also limited overload will prevent pinking since the compression will be lower (however the ratio will be the same). In any case one must use the right fuel…..
I think the pinking sensors are a type of microphones

, but not 100 % sure .
(Perhaps a bit OT, sorry then)
/Peter