The new edition of the World GT does have the battery forward. The idea with the new cars is to have weight shifted forward, but at the same time as close to the center as possible. One trick Speedmerchant is doing is to mount the servo facing the back of the car in-line with the front arms, but that would be an option if you wanted to use the old-skool or new associated front-end.
To measure caster, just take the tires off and put on a flat board. Get a regular old camber guage and measure the angle of the hinge pin. Good place to start is 4 degrees castor, 1 degree camber and .20 front springs.
Pod droop is very important with the older car to get weight transfer to the front. Start with 2 degrees of pod droop and a red center spring.
The car should be very good.